Digital Signage and Zero-Touch Technology

In the current climate, we are now conscious of everything we touch: door handles, pin pads, faucets, etc. These surfaces are anxiety-inducing for many people. 

Fortunately, the technology exists to make these frequent contacts into touchless experiences. We’re all familiar with the basics of this concept—doors and trash cans that magically open, automatic faucets and hand dryers in the bathroom, even contactless payments. In the near future, we’ll see digital experiences rapidly move toward this zero touch trend.

[Will the COVID-19 Pandemic Increase the Demand for Touchless AV Solutions?]

This nascent trend will quicken with staggering scale and speed. We’ll see a rapid shift away from touchscreen kiosks. Voice technology will move out of the home and into the office. Personal mobile devices will connect to and control buildings. Environments will be seamlessly integrated with an array of sensors to automatically detect and respond to human behavior.

Through this lens, we’ll explore technology interventions that help people feel empowered and confident in all kinds of spaces and experiences. As the Second Story team adapts existing experiences for a post-quarantine world, we're exploring a variety of touchless technologies for different use cases:

  • Sensor integration 
  • Voice command
  • Gesture detection and facial recognition
  • Haptics 
  • Next-generation vending machines and kiosks
  • Mobile device integration
  • Contactless payments

No matter where you fall on the digital signage spectrum, it's important to intentionally design for new expectations of safety and sanitation with zero-touch experience.

Download the 2020 Digital Signage Best Practices Guide.

Joel Krieger

Joel Krieger is chief creative officer at Second Story. His work spans the gamut of both cultural and brands spaces—transforming passive audiences into active participants. Krieger graduated with honors from the University of Georgia, Lamar Dodd School of Art with a BFA in interdisciplinary studies. His work has been recognized for design excellence by The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Communication Arts, HOW Design, the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD), The Webby Awards, the Interaction Design Association (IxDA), and The American Alliance of Museums (AAM).