Property owners and landlords in Hong Kong and mainland China are now utilizing new technologies at surprising rates as part of a wider strategy to combat the negative effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many have sought the services of robots to decrease dependence of workers, while at the same time mitigating the further spread of the disease.
The social distancing rules and work-from-home orders that are still in effect in most parts of the country have placed massive pressure on businesses. The retail and hospitality sectors, in particular, have felt the brunt of the economic effects, with consumption and travel being greatly reduced. To counteract these effects, some landlords have started using machines to replace humans, offering a slight concession amid the continued economic slump.
Famous buildings such as the Infinitus Plaza in Sheung Wan, the Dorset House in Quarry Bay, and the JLL Office in One Taikoo Place have all started to use cleaning robots to keep areas sanitized. Retail outlets and shopping centers such as the HKRI Taikoo Hui mall have also implemented similar systems along with robotic assistants and automated tellers.
Swire Properties mentioned that the pandemic has presented them with a unique opportunity to explore and adopt new and innovative measures to ensure the safety of their tenants and customers. Apart from cleaning, the company is also looking into other possible applications of robotics technology to ensure public health and safety.
In its properties, robotic cleaning machines that run on preset programs work together with workers. According to the company, the use of robots helps reduce direct human contact. Some of the machines are equipped with ultraviolet lamps that kill bacteria and viruses on commonly touched surfaces such as handrails, elevators, and doors.
The robots are particularly useful for properties with busy human traffic. High-traffic malls are utilizing the same technologies to clean its ventilation and air-conditioning systems, while also using smart systems that enhance overall operations. Swire believes that a higher adoption rate of the technology is inevitable and the crisis has only managed to accelerate the rate.
Chinese real estate investment company Sunlight Reit announced that it has set aside a substantial budget to augment its manpower using robotics technology. Buildings such as the Sunlight Tower in Wan Chai are using robots to discreetly and rapidly screen people's temperatures to detect potential COVID-19 cases amongst its tenants and visitors.
Some restaurants and shopping outlets in China are also using robotic workers to assist customers. Robots that can take and deliver orders are slowly being utilized across the nation to minimize human contact. It is highly likely that the use of these technologies will continue even after the pandemic is placed under control.
