India has always led in terms of ‘jugaad’ or a frugal mindset when it comes to innovative solutions to problems using limited resources. COVID-19 has brought out innovation from Indian startups to the forefront. Some of these startups have been incubated by universities. Experts point out numerous reasons for this including a hub of trained, engineering talent, an urgent humanitarian crisis, and a proactive approach to crowdsourcing ideas from the government.
Robots
Asimov Robotics, a Kerala-based startup started deploying robots at entrances to office buildings to dispense sanitiser and spread public health messages regarding the novel coronavirus. This move supports the social distancing and contact tracing movement that has gripped the world right now. These robots are also being utilised in hospital isolation wards to deliver food and medicines.
Ventilators
To address the shortage of ventilators for patients that require critical care, Nocca Robotics, incubated at IIT Kanpur, Aerobiosys Innovations, incubated at IIT Hyderabad and AgVa Healthcare, started developing low-cost ventilators. These are easy to use and portable and can be used in rural areas as well. However, these ventilators are still awaiting medical regulatory approval before they can be deployed for use.
Apps
Startups are also stepping up to support the government’s campaign on disseminating information by building technology platforms. The Kerala Government launched GoK-Kerala Direct app developed by QKopy. This app provides COVID-19 updates and travel-related information via phone notifications. For the populace that does not use smartphones, this app provides updates via SMS and these messages are delivered in English and Malayalam.
#IndiaFightsCorona
— Invest India (@investindia) April 29, 2020
GoK Direct app, launched by Kerala govt. in partnership with @QkopyOnline, provides regular #COVID19 updates, travel guidelines, & general safety tips.
Learn more: https://t.co/oaIkc2ysPC#IndiaAgainstCorona @vijayanpinarayi @CMOKerala @PMOIndia @GoI_MeitY pic.twitter.com/Bl5Xg6ukE6
Public Space Hygiene
We have also seen innovation from Indian startups in the area of hygiene in public spaces. Aqoza Technologies developed a water-based sanitiser disinfectant in 2018 during the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. Another startup, Droom, developed a special annti-microbial coating called Corono Shield. It inhibits the growth of microorganisms, bacteria, algae, yeast, moulds, and mildew on the surfaces of vehicles and is being tested by the Gurugram police.
