Wyld Networks Creates Safe Geozones with Mesh Technology for Mobile Apps

CAMBRIDGE, UK — As research by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that more than half of all COVID-19 deaths across 14 US states are in elderly care facilities, Wyld Networks, a provider of advanced mesh and IoT networking technologies and applications, is applying its mobile mesh technology to help protect residents, staff and visitors and prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other viruses by creating geozones. Wyld has partnered with Highland Health Ventures  (HHVL) to test and deploy its mobile mesh technology into nursing homes in Scotland. HHVL is an independent company with a collaboration agreement with NHS Highland – one of the fourteen regions of NHS Scotland – for the purpose of developing innovations in healthcare. 

The Wyld technology will provide digital access and anonymized social distance monitoring and alerting through a mobile app and a mesh wireless network of connected smartphones and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Wyld and HHVL have already started the first project for implementation in a Scottish nursing home and hope to roll out the technology in the UK and US. The technology also has broader applications in industry, schools, retail and sporting venues in helping businesses get back to work safely.

A new survey from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), reports that 25,923 residents have died in federally regulated nursing homes. But analysis of state data gathered by USA Today, indicates that in the last three months, more than 40,600 long-term care residents and workers have died of COVID-19, about 40% of the nation’s death toll from the Coronavirus. And in New York, residents living in long-term care have accounted for 20% of COVID-19 deaths according to state and federal data.

“Supporting innovation across the healthcare system is more important than ever and will be central to securing transformation and improved care and we are pleased to be working together with Wyld and HHVL to deliver innovative potential solutions for nursing homes.”  said Frances Hines, Research, Development and Innovation Manager in NHS Highland. 

How it Works 

Wyld’s innovative mesh technology harnesses the power of people’s mobile phones without relying on connections to cellular or Wi-Fi networks. Data simply finds the quickest and easiest route by hopping between phones to deliver notifications, alerts and other content quickly and reliably, while also accurately measuring social distancing. The Wyld system can create virtual geozones around the nursing home and particularly sensitive or quarantined areas to control access, as well as dynamic personal two-metre geozones around everyone with the app.   

All staff and visitors will have to download the mobile application and input COVID-19 test results, plus enter any symptoms into a self-diagnostic algorithm embedded in the application to create a risk profile. Residents without a smartphone could be given electronic wristbands or similar. The solution is designed to ensure privacy is maintained and data is securely anonymized.   

Anyone approaching a geozone will be sent a message instantly to let them know if they are allowed to enter.  By using Wyld’s real-time data analytics platform, nursing home managers will be able to contact and advise anyone who has been in close contact with someone who is tested positive with COVID-19 or develops symptoms.

“Our mesh technology was originally designed for applications such as major sporting events, music festivals, retail centres and transport hubs to deliver relevant, location-aware information,” said Wyld Network’s CEO, Alastair Williamson. “But it quickly became clear that our Wyld mesh could play a vital role in protecting residents, staff and visitors in nursing homes, hospitals and hospices. We hope the system created with Highland Health Ventures will provide a model that can be adopted more widely to deal with the current crisis, as well as deliver post-COVID benefits.”