Anders tells us how to block transmission by touch

Our response to the pandemic offers many examples of how our ingenuity helped combat the crisis: we saw leading high-tech companies quickly refocus their resources on developing cost-effective ventilators to aid treatment, our biotech developed protective vaccines extremely quickly, and contactless payment technology showed its effectiveness as a means of blocking transmission.

As we all now work out how to live with COVID in the long-term, it’s wise to continue improving the tools at our disposal for prevention and cure. This includes developing safer interactions with the equipment that makes modern life work, such as ticketing machines, kiosks, payment terminals, interactive signage, elevator controls, machinery control panels, door openers and access-control systems. Even appliances like coffee machines, washing machines, and microwaves, particularly where these are used in communal areas like offices, break rooms, and shared laundry rooms.

What are the prospects for extending touchless interaction?

Several approaches could be feasible. New equipment could be designed around interaction through personal mobile devices, perhaps using NFC, Bluetooth, or a QR code, to avoid touching surfaces that are publicly accessible. But there are limitations: what if your mobile is inaccessible to open that door or use an elevator; isn’t it frustrating when you are asked to install an app when you want to do a simple task?; what if your battery is out of charge or you have simply forgotten to bring your mobile out with you, and then there are those who don’t want to carry a smart device at all.

Alternatively, multi-point time-of-flight ranging is emerging as a sophisticated means of sensing context and detecting user proximity. In applications like building security, this technology could be combined with biometric sensing such as facial recognition to manage access privileges and automatically open the door for authorised users.

In addition, several technologies have been put forward that enable touch-free interactions with applications typically fronted by a touchscreen user interface. Gesture control is an exciting concept for automotive designers, who see the opportunity to simplify interaction with the vehicle and improve safety by allowing drivers to do things like change radio station or adjust the temperature setting by waving a finger without averting their eyes from the road. Gesture control is also great for use in smart buildings, to let users easily optimise HVAC settings, lighting, or audio volume.