COVID-19 introduced anxieties for hygiene risks due to bacterial transfers between people and shared physical objects in public spaces. Credit card machines, doors, remote controls, and other touch-operated devices make people uneasy and nervous. The world has made adjustments but there are still physical systems that need better innovative alternatives.
To alleviate health risk anxieties, design systems that don't require hands. Using a non-touch manipulation method will ensure convenience and safety for users.
In this article, we will take a look at the various technologies with the best opportunities to solve real world use cases.
Voice
Natural Language Processing (NLP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and voice biometrics technology used in public experiences, enabling users to interact with system by speaking to them.
Say hello or bye, the system turns on or off
Say a command, the system executes an action or task
Say a floor number, the elevator goes
Say a code, the door opens
Say a password, your identity is recognized
Device to device
The use of apps and other objects to interact with shared public systems without directly touching them.
Tap a card against a Point of Sale System (POS), a payment is made
Tap a card against a door handle, the door opens
Scan a QR code with your phone camera, a restaurant menu appears
Scan items at a store with your phone, purchases are made
Use a mobile app to control another external device or object
Body
Using other body mechanisms other than hands, like feet and elbows, to manipulate or control a device or interact with a system.
Use feet, elbow, or hip to open a door
Use feet to turn on faucet
Use elbow to push buttons
Stand or sit on something, the system turns on
Air gesture
Utilizing virtual or augmented reality hand gestures to interact with the system or device.
Wave your hand, the system turns on
Make a fist, an action is executed
Point and air tap, a selection is made
Raise a number of fingers, the quantity is selected
Use sign language, it's transcribed to words
Nothing
Passive user input in the manner of sensory technologies to manipulate or interact with a device or system.
Walk towards a door, it opens
Walk out with groceries, you're billed
Walk into an elevator, it knows which floor to take you
Walk into a room, the temperature is set
Sit in a car seat, the engine starts
Walk away from a public urinal, it flushes
Summary
Design for behavioral shifts, user anxieties, and mindfulness
Find opportunities within the physical consumer space to innovate
Find opportunities within the products your working on to optimize for hands-free interactions
Use the best interaction manipulation method for your contextual use cases
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