Barcodes are not just the thing that the cashier scans when you cash out at the grocery store or some other retail chain; they are instruments that make life easier and more orderly for all of us, and recent advancements in barcode technology suggests that they may even save lives, especially for the elderly or people in group homes. We have come to the point in the evolution of barcodes that they are becoming crucial to our health and wellbeing. What we’re seeing is the use of barcode technology to help battle loneliness and to make the transition for the elderly an easier one.
This may include everything from cushions with sensors, water bottles with hydration gauges, fridges with barcode scanners able to share whatever the contents are with neighbors, TV screens able to tell if the person watching is lonely or not. This seems to be surefire way to help older generations, to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Laura Onita of Engineering and Technology Magazine sums up the reasoning behind these innovations.
She writes, “These barcode patent ideas were devised to highlight how the UK’s ageing population opens up a commercial opportunity for companies that can capitalize on bespoke products for this age group including wearable technologies, 3D printing, cloud computing, loT and smart cities.”
While barcodes aren’t a crucial part in all of these patents, the technology they represent is the glue that holds everything together. Being able to scan your way through the world, especially if you are older, so that you feel more a part of it will go a long away in thwarting inevitable loneliness and depression that is all too common in this fast-paced world of ours.
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