COVID-19 was a disruptor. The quarantine regulations dictated what and where people could work and live. As more people were forced to work from home, an age of innovation and creativity was born.
Assistive technology comes in several forms. From Braille readers, computer-assisted technology (personalized keyboards, screen readers, voice recognition programs), motorized wheelchairs, and systems that assist with breathing. Assistive technology can positively impact those with disabilities. Finding the right assistive technology is vital to anyone with paralysis.
Developing technology that meets the needs of those with a spinal cord injury (SCI), paralysis, or a disability was relevant before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the need heightened once COVID-19 shut down the main healthcare channels.
The country was rapidly moving towards a new future defined by assistive and digital technology. The internet could bring people closer to artificial intelligence (AI) and make resources accessible to more people. Technology that could redefine life as many knew it was on the way -- but not as fast as some might want.
COVID-19 changed everything. People were forced to change how they lived, and daily routines were disrupted. The economy, work, education, and social patterns shifted from in-person to virtual. The world needed innovative technology.
Transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic was inevitable. COVID-19 catalyzed many organizations to speed up plans for technology-driven devices. The urgency to create technology that would advance social, educational, work, and quality of life was evident during the pandemic.
Some technology has improved lives and is here to stay. For example, telehealth increased access to vital care and mental health services. Telehealth made meeting with a medical or mental health professional possible for many. Even after the quarantine regulations were lifted, people and medical professionals continued to use telehealth.
Telehealth served another purpose: the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) research. Remote healthcare expanded the possibilities of healthcare and assistive technology. Open data-sharing and collaboration widened AI research.
Another promising area of innovation was AI and assistive technology. Researchers were able to use their time in quarantine to focus on developing technology that could assist those with disabilities such as paralysis.