Touchless access

Challenge

While physical distance, face masks, and ventilation mitigate the spread of airborne infections, high-contact surfaces such as railings, pushbuttons, and door handles are transport routes for indirect contact infection.1 Although contact transmission is likely to be less important than airborne spread2, there is still good reason to explore new ways of operating typical contact points. It is not only COVID-19 that can be transmitted through these pathways but also diseases such as influenza and the common cold.

Solution

Non-contact fittings and contactless payment terminals are examples of new technologies that make it possible to continue our daily lives and chores without having to worry about the risk of becoming infected through contact with objects in public space. “Shoe Pull” is a consumer product that can be bought and easily mounted on most types of doors – at home, in the workplace, or any other space where there is risk of infection spreading via touch. Shoe Pull makes it possible to open a door without touching the handle, even if you are wearing high heels.

The example shows how solutions can be low-tech, cheap, and innovative. It demonstrates that a ’building intervention’ can also be something that people can buy and install themselves. The example also shows that ingenuity and small, simple “hacks” have a place in the discussion of how we solve serious problems such as the spread of infectious diseases.

Taxonomy

Sphere: All spheres

Timescale: Tactical

Type: Interior Design

User Group: All user groups

Shoe Pull can be mounted to any door

The door handle is a high-touch surface

Doors can be opened without touching the handle

Project and location: Various restaurants, Copenhagen, Denmark

Contributor: Sovino Brands

Established: 2020