Talking signs keep workers safe during the Covid crisis

Posted on 15 May 2020

Interactive audio signs that give social distancing and hygiene warnings in the workplace have been produced by a North Yorkshire business - with help from a University of York managed grants scheme.

Ripon-based AudioSigns Ltd, which specialises in developing ‘talking’ signs, recently received a grant from the Product and Process Innovation fund (PAPI) to increase its production capacity and bring its product to market.

Attention

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the company turned its attention to producing a range of proximity sensor signs to deliver COVID-19 hazard awareness to employees in the workplace.

The signs are now keeping key workers safe in the food preparation sector and crucially the NHS. Construction industry clients are also implementing the technology as they plan for a safe return to work.

AudioSigns Director David Crack said: “We designed the Audiosign product for a range of health, safety and environmental applications in the workplace and public spaces. However, we didn’t envisage such a scenario as COVID-19. It’s rewarding to know that our product is now being used to help front line workers.

Grateful

“We‘re extremely grateful to have received the grant. It was crucial to ensure the business could move from working prototypes stage through to full production and sales and has ensured we have the capability to meet this new demand.”

PAPI supports small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) businesses located in the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding regions with 40 per cent grants of up to £20k. The PAPI project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 to 2020.

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