Daily Briefing: Singapore deploys Biofourmis tech for COVID-19 monitoring; Face verification to allow sign up for digital banking

And restaurant no-shows rise as the F&B scene struggles through the pandemic.

From DealStreetAsia:

Singapore is the latest country to adopt the Biofourmis tech system for people at its Swab Isolation Facilities and Community Care Facilities.

Over the last three months, thousands of COVID-19 patients in Singapore have strapped on their arms a biosensor that helps healthcare workers remotely monitor their symptoms.

The biosensor and analytics platform for clinicians are part of a kit that includes a smartphone preloaded with an app. These have been reconfigured by startup Biofourmis to measure more than 20 physiological signals and can now be run on six different languages.

More importantly, the AI-powered platform can predict clinical exacerbation by as much as 21 hours before it happens, allowing for early intervention, the company said.

The Biofourmis’ system has already been deployed in Hong Kong, Australia, the UK, and the US.

Read more here. 

From ChannelNewsAsia:

SingPass holders will be able to sign up for DBS' digital banking services by taking a picture of themselves through the use of face verification technology, following a rise in digital banking amidst the pandemic.

The pilot programme aims to benefit more than 1 million DBS customers who are SingPass holders and do not use digital banking services, the bank and Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) said in a news release.

The service also aims to benefit those trying digital banking for the first time, said the head of consumer banking group (Singapore) at DBS Bank, Mr Jeremy Soo. DBS is the first bank to implement GovTech’s latest service.

It is a process akin to taking a selfie and will allow Singaporeans and permanent residents to sign up for DBS’ digital banking services from their homes, including registering for digital banking.

It will allow them instant access to their bank accounts and banking services and expedite the registration process, the press release said.

Read more here.  

From ChannelNewsAsia:

Many diners are making several bookings per night, choosing one and cancelling the rest at the last minute, say restaurants and chefs who are at the end of their tether.

According to restaurants, the rate of no-shows and last-minute cancellations has actually risen post-circuit breaker.

In all likelihood, these no-showers are probably the same people who got all trigger-happy on social media with the hashtag SaveF&B back in April and May.

For restaurateurs and chefs such as Woo Wai Leong, the MasterChef Asia 2015 winner who owns and runs Restaurant Ibid, the frustration is too great to be swept under the table.

Cocktail bar Operation Dagger has seen an average no-show rate of 30% after re-opening, said head bartender Thomas Giraud, who speculated that since there is less room for improvisation when going for a night out, guests tend to make more reservations and probably 'over-book' in order to play safe.

It’s relatively easy to recoup the loss of a table for two by filling it with walk-in customers, but when large groups don’t show up, restaurants suffer the most.

Read more here.