A collaborative effort by four institutions has seen a COVID-19 early warning app published. The app, named TWS, incorporates data from a range of sources that seek to determine transmission paths between people and effectively block secondary transmission of COVID-19.

Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) was one of the four institutions involved in the creation of the app. They joined joint research center leaders Shenzhen Pengcheng Laboratory, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), and the National University of Defense Technology.

SUSTech Institute of Future Networks Technology Dean Liu Yunjie led the research team to develop the project through the application of cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things, AI, big data, and virus propagation models. Institute of Future Networks Technology vice-dean Wang Yi worked with many faculty members from February 1 to develop TWS.

COVID-19 is highly infectious with a long incubation period. TWS aims to identify patients and their close contacts accurately during this challenging period.

It uses geolocation data to automatically record close contacts between individuals and other people, pets, and facilities in real-time over 14 days. TWS would locate close contacts between people who have been infected with COVID-19 and trace the transmission vector to prevent and control COVID-19.

TWS terminals can be installed on a range of existing mobile and smart devices, with hard-wired TWS receivers costing less than 100 RMB. TWS can be used to assist government agencies, enterprises, and communities in the protection of society.

The project team has developed its alpha version of TWS for Android devices. It is now undergoing beta testing and can be trialed at the link below. At this point, TWS is still having its functionality updated, and when new versions are ready, users will be reminded to update the app.

Download link (beta): http://www.futurenetworks.com.cn/download.html