Bicholim IIM-Bengaluru student, friend create social distancing device

BICHOLIM: A youth from Bicholim is part of a two-member team that has developed sensor devices to help people maintain requisite social distance in public.
“We have used off-the-shelf components, like car reverse parking sensors. It indicates the exact distance that should be maintained between two persons,” IIM-Bengaluru student Saish Kapadi, who hails from Bordem, Bicholim, and IIT-Chennai alumnus Venktesh Ashtekar from Pune told TOI.
One of the two devices developed by Kapadi and Ashtekar can be used to ensure thst proper distance is maintained between a person approaching a counter and the personnel on the other side. It can be used at retail shops, banks, clinics, medical stores, RTO offices, religious place and post offices among others, they said.
“To prevent the spread of Covid, it is important to wear a mask and maintain social distance. However, many people wear masks, but fail to follow social distancing. So this device will be helpful in maintaining social distance,” the duo said.
They have also developed a body device for personal safety. It can be worn like a hat or a belt. “This kit, which is fixed with a plastic bar, is helpful to keep a safe distance between two people who are moving in public places,” Kapadi said.