Contactless technology is proving invaluable during the current coronavirus pandemic by eliminating the need to exchange cash or press buttons on a chip-and-pin machine.
However, for many businesses, such as fast-food restaurants, the only option for taking a customer’s initial order without face-to-face contact is a touchscreen - and that actually risks spreading infection more widely.
Antibacterial touchscreens exist, but this misses an important factor. As well as being genuinely hygienic, kiosks have to be perceived to be safe by customers. An anti-Covid coating isn’t likely to cut it for the general public: many people won't trust it, no matter how good it is.
Even before the current health crisis, there were reports of gut and faecal bacteria being found on every fast-food touchscreen swabbed in a study conducted by London Metropolitan University.
Could the latest audio technology provide a contactless solution?
If we could just ask for a burger...