Palm reading, one of the “future metrics” of the past should have hinted “biometric” to the field of science . On the other hand, since the ages of the genie it has been an every human’s fantasy to have things done effortlessly, with a voice command or a gesture; be it waking up in time to falling back to sleep in the modern days. While technologies strive to invite such utopia into reality, the pandemic outbreak has made the pursuit jump down from the pedestal of “exclusivity” to a plain of “inclusivity”.
Today, businesses are hustling hard to bring solutions that minimize human contact to minimize the spread of infection. Further, rising hygiene concerns has been significantly adding to the growth of the touchless technology.
Interestingly, organizations world over are thinking of replacing the “touch” points in their environment with touchless solutions; the market too is prone to cater to a range of products that demand “touchless sensing” at large. Hence, the economic downturn that questioned the future of touchless sensing and gesture control due to higher swap over costs, and the perception of touchless technology as “luxury” may soon be void due to a likely rise in the market demand.
The public awareness on hygiene is increasing due to the new normal of the society. This would likely result in businesses adopting touchless solutions and products. It is almost a reality that we as consumers have been seeking for touchless experiences and hygiene solutions, to make them a part of our routines.
Hit any e-commerce store or a search engine with the keywords, “touchless products”, and it throws an array of different products for different purposes ranging from office, home, car wash products, cleaning products, sanitation dispensing etc. Companies from Microsoft Corporation in the US to Gesture Research in India are some of the major players in the sector. Technologies like RFID, camera-based, sensors, voice assistance, Bluetooth etc., are playing a major role in the touchless sensing market. [1] Predominantly, touchless technology has a niche in the hygiene management space now.
Touchless systems function in various ways; while many of them are deliberately high-tech, built with sensors, not all are electronic. There are no-touch mechanical dispensers that deliver the same benefits as sensor-activated ones. Primarily, touchless sensing technology in the high capacity dispensing range prevent the run-out of the product, which is an additional advantage as they are programmed to dispense only a particular amount of product at a time. [2]
Further, there are newer products as touchless, voice-controlled trash can created by Simplehuman, whose CEO Frank Yang, has mentioned in an interview that in the case of sensor pumps, we believe the ability to dispense soap without pressing on the often wobbly pump mechanism is not only more effortless but also, more hygienic. Our sensor technology can also dispense different amounts of soap or sanitizer based on your hand placement. When products are more effortless and smarter, it allows you to do more. We believe this is the future. [3]
Okay! That’s a much ado! What is “touchless technology” actually?
Touchless technology employs sensors to recognize human gesticulation, voice or facial attributes to complete a chore. This technology infers speech via Automated Speech Recognition (ASR), a technology that helps human interact with computer using voice. [4]
Though not everybody needs solutions of higher-end, many human needs require tech solutions that serve simple purposes. Hence, it is likely that this technology is sure to survive and sustain beyond the pandemic times. The future workforce has one more skill to learn.
References:
- [1] https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/touchless-sensing-gesturing-market-369.html#:~:text=Companies%20covered&text=Eyesight%20Technologies%20Ltd.-,(Israel)%2C%20Ultraleap%20(UK)%2C%20German%20Auto%20Labs,gesture%20recognition%20and%20touchless%20sensingmarket.
- [2] https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/touchless-technology-helps-facilitate-infection-prevention-best
- [3] https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/354885
- [4] https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/covid-19-impact-touchless-technology-is-the-future-but-are-we-ready-5282611.html