The mind-blowing technology at the Olympics is always impressive, but it’s proving to have more than just the cool factor in Beijing. These innovations are cutting down on human contact to help keep COVID-19 at bay.
The 2022 Winter Games have brought new events like the monobob and big air, but other novel concepts are functioning in the Olympic bubble to combat the spread of the coronavirus
The Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games outlined many ways robots have taken over responsibilities normally performed by humans. An anti-epidemic robot stands at the entrance to each competition area. The terminal scans QR codes from phones of those entering the venue for health, vaccination and travel records. Even though this process may seem laborious, it only takes two seconds to complete.
The health information is extensive. Games participants are PCR-tested daily and Dr. Brian McCloskey, Chair of the Beijing 2022 Medical Expert Panel has said the testing is “robust and reliable.”