Delhi’s scorching heat, with temperatures soaring between 45 and 49°C, not only tests human endurance but also puts smartphones through a rigorous trial. For autorickshaw drivers reliant on ride-hailing apps like Uber and Ola, the intense sunlight directly impacts their smartphones, crucial for navigation and earning potential.
Autorickshaw drivers often resort to makeshift solutions like shading their phones with cloths to prevent overheating. Despite such efforts, prolonged exposure to high temperatures causes phones to malfunction or shut down, disrupting their work routines.
The problem is exacerbated by the continuous use of navigation apps, which intensifies the device’s internal processes, leading to excessive heat generation. Budget and mid-range smartphones, commonly used by these drivers, lack advanced heat dissipation features found in premium models, forcing drivers to adopt creative cooling methods like water-drenched cloths, albeit risking potential damage to their devices.
Even gig workers commuting on two-wheelers face similar challenges, emphasizing the widespread impact of Delhi’s extreme weather on technology use.
In response, experts recommend simple measures like removing phone covers, minimizing screen brightness, and avoiding direct sunlight to mitigate overheating issues. Such precautions not only preserve the device’s functionality but also ensure uninterrupted service delivery amid Delhi’s relentless summer heat.
