"We need technology more than ever in the midst of a pandemic", insisted mid-December Gary Shapiro, the boss of the CES show in Las Vegas, to justify the maintenance of the event despite the cancellations of large groups.
Exhibitors have competed in their imagination to design, over the past two years, innovations capable of fighting Covid-19 or at least mitigating its impact on daily life.
We have spotted several with great potential.
An ultra-filtering mask
The mask of the young Lyon growth can be used for 3 years.
Designed by the Lyon start-up Airxôm, this mask with a plastic and silicone shell protects against pollution, bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. In passive mode, it will simply filter like an FFP2 mask but, once connected to a portable battery, it will actively destroy pathogens and filter out particles and pollution. “We obtained results of around 99% of viruses destroyed during tests carried out by Inserm,” explains Trong Dai Nguyen, a researcher from the Insa engineering school in Lyon at the origin of the project. Another practical advantage, the mask is waterproof so no problem with fogging on glasses for example. Its production will begin in March in France and it will be sold for nearly 300 euros "ie the price of a disposable mask changed every 4 hours for 3 years".
A PCR test on a smartphone
The sample analysis box is connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth.
The young Korean shoot 1drop has developed a connected box, the 1pot, capable of carrying out molecular analyzes of a nasal sample "8 times faster than a PCR test in the laboratory and with a comparable result".
Intended primarily for healthcare professionals, this pocket-sized laboratory involves collecting a sample and handling a small test tube that fits into the case.
The test takes 22 minutes and the results appear on a dedicated app.
This innovation could prove particularly useful in medical deserts.
The personal air disinfector
UV purification technology cleans the air in a small area.
Pyramid-shaped and the size of a coffee mug, the ShortWaveLight is a short-range air and surface purifier that uses far-UVC technology, or ultraviolet rays which several studies have shown to be effective against viruses and their genetic structures.
The American company NS Nanotech specializes in the production of devices with small Led bulbs which generate these UV rays.
The first copies, sold for nearly $ 200, will be shipped in the second half of the year.
Protection that communicates
The built-in microphone paves the way for voice interactions such as translation.
Used to wearing a mask long before the pandemic, the Japanese from Donut Robotics decided to increase the capacity of the protective device, even if it means having to wear it day after day.
The intelligent C-Face mask has a microphone which, by interacting with the application, allows the words of the wearer to be transcribed or even translated into ten languages, but also to amplify the voice to facilitate exchanges.
However, it is worn over a real protective mask because it has holes.
The demonstration on the stand charmed us.
Sold for 40 dollars, the first copies will soon be delivered all over the world.
Electrons against the virus
This device neutralizes the virus by attacking its molecular structure.
It looks like an air purifier, but it doesn't brew any at all.
Serenio acts on the Spike protein of Covid-19, which is positively charged with electrons, by sending it a high concentration of negative electrons, according to its American designers.
Painless for the human body, the process neutralizes viruses before they can infect them.
The device is intended for closed environments such as offices or schools.
Several laboratories have validated the first tests and the destruction of the virus after about fifteen minutes and within a radius of 3.5 m.
The device was also deployed in smaller events around the CES fair such as Showstoppers, the meeting place for innovative small and medium-sized companies.