Digitalization Trend IoT & Hygiene: It's a Match!

Over the past year, our awareness of hygiene has heavily increased. Whether it's public transportation, industry, especially electronics products, or logistics, it's not just about making materials easier to clean. It is also and especially about further steps in the supply chain such as hygienic packaging and contactless deliveries. Here, for example, electronic solutions for completely contactless operation are in demand.

More hygiene based on intelligent, sensor-based IoT technology.

The following insight has been gaining more and more acceptance since the beginning of the pandemic and has since become a real trend topic: Capacitive sensor technologies can be used to implement hygiene measures ideally and effectively, especially in the manufacturing sector. This is a development that can help companies remain competitive, and not just in times of crisis. After all, the pressure to innovate with regard to digital competencies is constantly increasing: for the entire supply chain and the complete associated logistics.

"Hygienic design" is a term that is attracting increasing attention in this context: Sophisticated hygiene concepts should ensure that health risks are reduced for everyone, not just in times of pandemics. This is particularly true in places frequented by high-risk groups, in public spaces and in industrial production facilities. Among other things, the sterility of surfaces plays a decisive role in the implementation of the concepts.

Increasingly, intelligent IoT technologies are coming into play for the solution approach that has been found: for example, capacitive sensor pushbuttons that are used in public transport, in the production area or in hospitals. These buttons decisively reduce the risk of transmitting viruses and bacteria by allowing them to be actuated by just a light, brief touch. The time spent on the probe is therefore much shorter, and the area touched is smaller than with conventional applications. They can even be operated with gloves. Integrated into the floor as foot sensors, they also reduce switching effort and the associated risk.

With capacitive technologies of this kind, it is possible to effectively implement hygiene measures in public or high-traffic areas. Combining them, for example, with specially sealed stainless steel variants, where bacteria, viruses and contaminants cannot take hold, the level of hygiene increases many times over. It is also extremely robust and can be sterilized without any problems. Special sensors now even have such high touch sensitivity that they can be operated completely without contact.

Practical example of a monitoring system for measuring hand hygiene

The following example shows how intelligent IoT solutions also help to raise hygiene standards in everyday practice in medical facilities: a modern monitoring system developed by a start-up company to measure hand hygiene helps to noticeably reduce the number of hospital infections. The IoT-based system can be seamlessly integrated into the infrastructure of healthcare facilities. To do this, existing disinfectant dispensers are equipped with sensors. Special software collects the data and enables analysis of how disinfection figures develop depending on the ward, disinfectant dispenser and occupational group. Dispensing quantities and fill levels are also monitored in this way.

Based on this data, the specialist staff can initiate targeted measures to improve the hygiene situation. Not to be forgotten: Such a measure generally raises employees' hygiene awareness. Automated disinfection reminders also ensure that hygiene regulations are adhered to. The data collected by the hygiene compliance system is stored in a time series database: Among other things, this enables accurate analysis of visitor and people flows and the optimal supply of hygiene products tailored to these flows.

Conclusion: Intelligent IoT solutions enable improved hygiene processes in all areas

Whether in the private sector, in medical facilities, in smart home care in elderly care facilities and retirement homes, in home care, in industrial production areas, in supply and logistics chains: The implementation of IoT devices enables a more independent life for many people, thereby providing them and their loved ones with greater security.

IoT solutions, based on intelligent and advanced sensor technology, thus make a decisive contribution to compliance with hygiene procedures in private and public structures.