Technology has seen a huge boom in the last decade, but even more so in the past couple of years. This is in part due to the coronavirus pandemic, which saw many people and industries having to instantly adapt to remote working and providing virtual services. During this time, it seemed like everything transitioned to being online thanks to fantastic digital technologies.
However, it is not just the obvious industries that have benefited from this improvement in technology, such as banks, offices, clothing stores, schools, universities, and so on.
Therefore, let us take a look at three unlikely industries that have been positively impacted by developments in technology.
1. Drainage
CCTV drain surveys
CCTV is used for a range of applications, especially in the security industry. However, the development in CCTV technology now means that you can benefit from a CCTV drain survey in East London. CCTV allows drainage specialists to find the exact cause of a problem – whether it is a blockage, complex damage, or even a rodent – allowing them to take action as quickly as possible.
A CCTV survey uses a remote-controlled camera to act as the eyes of the operation, which then relays the information back to a computer for the drainage technician to analyse. The expert can then rectify the issue with your drainage quickly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your property.
Sensory drains
Sensory drains are a kind of ‘smart drain’ that can detect what is being put down the drain. Although research into these systems was mainly to detect anti-social activities, they can also help to avoid environmental problems, pollution, and health hazards. They are expected to be trialled in practice in the near future.
Programmed sensors
In addition to this, sensors can be programmed with specialist software to alert authorities when there has been an issue, allowing environmental specialists to clear up chemical spills and improperly discarded liquids before they have time to negatively impact on the ecological system.
2. Food services
Restaurants
Although restaurants have previously made their revenue from seating and feeding diners in person, the rise in technology has allowed eateries to branch out. Many restaurants now offer a delivery service using an app such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat. As the industry took a knock during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which diners were not allowed to sit indoors, this has enabled many restaurants to stay afloat while restrictions were in place.
Not only this, but the online food delivery industry is expected to continuously grow over the next few years, as users benefit from the added convenience of having restaurant food delivered to the comfort of their own home. Over 42% of the population use online food delivery in 2021, which is predicted to amount to 43.4 million users by 2025.
Food shops
The rise in delivery services has not only benefited the restaurant industry, but also groceries and supermarkets. Gone are the days when you could only book a traditional grocery delivery service in advance – today, users can order their supermarket shop via the same food delivery service as their favourite restaurants, with their groceries potentially arriving within a matter of minutes.
Another change that has come about in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in which people were struggling to get food delivered to their door during lockdown, this move has changed grocery shopping forever.
Virtual restaurants
The rise in technology has also allowed for a new segment of the restaurant sector to be born – the virtual restaurant. Virtual restaurants, otherwise known as cloud, dark, or ghost kitchens, are restaurants that only offer online delivery, without the option for people to dine in.
3. Healthcare
Digital healthcare services
The boom in technology has drastically changed the healthcare industry, and has allowed for the NHS to take some pressure off its frontline services. According to NHS Digital, almost 28 million users have registered for an NHS login, and 16 million people now use the NHS App, with 20-29 year olds the biggest users of the platform.
This app allows you to download your COVID Pass, order repeat prescriptions, update organ donation preferences, book appointments, and even manage your hospital referrals. Instead of having to call a receptionist, taking time out of both your days, you can now manage all your appointments and prescriptions instantly with just a tap of the finger.
Remote diagnostics
Another way that technology has relieved the NHS of pressure is the ability it provides to perform remote diagnostics. If you are feeling sick, you can now make telephone appointments with your GP. During this appointment, the doctor will be able to solve any problems quickly and efficiently, and then book you in for an in-person consultation if necessary.
This reduces the amount of time that clinicians and patients waste on issues that can be instantly resolved over the phone, such as medication reviews and sick notes, and reduces the risk of viral illnesses being spread in the practice – you will only need to physically enter the GP surgery if it is deemed essential.
Telepsychotherapy
In addition to virtual doctors’ appointments, technology has allowed for virtual therapy appointments. This has been revolutionary for patients who have extreme social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), agoraphobia, and those who are less-abled and thus might not have had access to (or struggled with) in-person appointments. Due to this, almost everyone who wants therapy can access it in a way that is suitable for them.
Virtual fitness
Many gyms and wellness facilities now offer virtual fitness classes, such as livestreamed workouts and personal training sessions. The convenience of being able to fit in a quick workout after work from the comfort of your own home should lead to an increase in physical wellness in the long run.
Communications
It goes without saying that patients in long-term hospital care or in care homes can get lonely. However, communications technology has allowed for better communication between patients and their loved ones. Video calling platforms such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, and so on, can be adopted by hospitals, care homes, and patients themselves to ensure they are connected with their family and friends.
So, whether you are in need of a CCTV drain survey in East London, a virtual GP appointment, or fancy a quick bite delivered to your door, this has all been made possible by creative advancements in recent technology, even in unlikely sectors such as the above.