Although many companies around the globe are anxious to get their production efforts back on track, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many automakers and suppliers to accept a new normal. Companies are implementing various safety precautions for this challenging transition back to work. Worker safety and health have been a steadily growing concern, and a significant factor addressed in companies’ restart plans. Many workers are not ready to return to work—some are ill or are caring for an ill loved one, many have children at home, and no childcare or they just might not be willing to return given their underlying health conditions or the anxiety of not knowing how their health and the health of their family will be protected in the workplace. Many companies are now using surveys and data to assess their workforce and its specific needs, as well as implementing various technologies in the physical workplace to monitor health and activity. This data not only can serve as a blueprint for current restart plans but can also be a continued guiding resource for many companies and government officials. 

Using Data to Help Your Business Come Back Online in the Wake of COVID-19

On Monday, 27 April 2020, CAR’s President and CEO, Carla Balio, met with special guests Bill Newman, North America Executive Industry Advisor of SAP, David Mingle, Global Automotive Industry Leader of Qualtrics, and Dr. Troy Lau, Group Leader (Machine Intelligence) of Draper, for a conversation on how their companies and other organizations are using data to get the automotive industry back online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qualtrics has a data management system that has been adopted for the State of Utah and is in the process of being expanded to other States. The system is a methodology utilizing cell phone data and other data gathering devices to trace exposure to COVID-19 and then begin to eliminate potential hot spots. Qualtrics’ system will also help to determine the means of spread and exposure. Draper is utilizing its “homegrown” AI platform in-house as they were unable to shut down manufacturing because the company is a vital supplier to the U.S. Department of Defense. Draper’s system also utilizes cell phones, RFI, and badge swipes data to know where its staff is moving about surrounding and inside the building. This movement includes ingress/egress, hallway patterns, grouping in certain areas, and this information can lead to staggered work times, limitations of the number of staff in some regions of the building, and more. As both of these systems gather data, it is analyzed and becomes “smarter” to enable better monitoring, cleanliness/sanitization, and containment.

Learn more about how SAP, Qualtrics, and Draper are using data to make workspaces safer.  Watch the Webinar Now

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