Sped-Up Tech Trends Will “Stick”

There’s no question that we are doing things more remotely than we were a few months ago, whether that’s via telemedicine or online workouts.

While our lengthy quarantine may make it feel like the world has slowed down, our use of technology has sped up. And chances are, some of our new tech-aided behaviors will continue, even as stay-at-home orders ease.

We have already become more comfortable communicating through video calls, training with virtual reality, and engaging with chatbots on websites. As we look for ways to reduce our exposure to viruses like COVID-19, we will gravitate toward cashless transactions, interacting with holograms, voice-activated technology, drone deliveries, and driverless cars.

These are the observations of Pam McNally, Executive Vice President of Digital for SANDOW and Interior Design Media. During a recent Haworth Connect presentation, she shared her insights about the future of technology and how it will impact client expectations.

As a technology enthusiast, Pam says you can count her among those impressed with the Swedes’ willingness to embed a microchip in their hands so they can swipe their hands in front digital readers.

“I'm absolutely into this because it offers a contactless approach to people, things, and even payments,” she said.

Driving this increased comfort with technology is a change in people’s fundamental outlook on life and comfort level with public places, a topic explored in a recent Gensler blog.

“I'm looking at things so differently than I ever have before," Pam said, adding that she believes people are going to feel wary about being in an enclosed space with a stranger. The government quickly eased restrictions on the use of telemedicine to respond to the public health crisis. She predicts the same will happen with driverless cars. "We're going to push through our challenges and come out on the other side. With tech use like telemedicine and telehealth, you can't put the genie back in the bottle,” she said.