As we watch the Corona pandemic unfold, everyone is wondering how we could have prepared better. We feel it’s just as important to look at how we should move forward as a society. Imagemme is a team of creatives and strategists. It was only natural for us to begin to discuss how design could be a feasible approach to battling Covid or future pandemics. We began thinking about popular dining establishments and how they process their orders.We wondered how we could use design to improve upon the sanitary needs of the post pandemic world while also keeping what makes these consumer experiences so seamless and special.
One of the first companies that came to our minds was Mcdonalds. A global fast food chain with “Over One Billion Served.” The company recently integrated the use of automated kiosks that allow customers to order before approaching the counter. These kiosks are touched by thousands of people a day and are breeding grounds for germs. We started to think of ways we could help improve the design of these Kiosks to be more sanitary while maintaining the same enjoyable experience McDonald’s customers have become accustomed to.
App Based Interaction
Our first approach was a simple one that removed any interaction with a kiosk at all. As Mcdonalds already has an app for their customers to see deals, we thought it would be great for them to integrate functionality that allowed people to order a meal from their cell phone as well. This could be done in advance for pickup with payment done through the app. The app would also allow those that needed to pay with cash or credit card to purchase the order through the app and then pay once they arrived.This would allow customers the fastest pickup experience without having to share a Touch Screen kiosk with others.
Motion Sensing Technology
Much like the Microsoft Kinect device used for controller free gaming, our touch-less kiosk employs motion tracking technology that allows you to activate and operate the kiosk without ever touching the screen. To begin placing an order, a customer simply approaches the kiosk and stands at the 2 ft marker. Once at this line, the customer would be directly in the field of the device’s motion sensor technology.
This would then allow them to select choices from the menu while standing two feet away and never having to place their hands on the screen. The design invokes thoughts of Tom Cruise in “Minority Report” but is made feasible using technologies already on the market. The customer would only have to come in contact with the kiosk to pay for their meal; lessening the amount of Germ Transmission for the current and future customers.
Self Sanitizing Touch Screens
Lastly, we thought of an economical solution that could easily improve the state of germ transmission. A self sanitizing station using UV light technology between customers, could reduce the spread of germs in a cost effective manner, that would be super easy for Mcdonald’s to integrate. In this scenario, a customer would simply walk over to a kiosk and punch in their order using the touch screen. After the order has been purchased they would then be able to pay for their meal at the kiosk.
Once a customer’s order has been completed, the kiosk would begin to self sanitize the screen and the credit card reader between customers. This would effectively make the station cleaner for the next person using it and prevent the spread of germs from person to person.
During a time like this, it can be very easy to think of where we went wrong or what we should have done. Imagemme is challenging all of the creatives out there to put their best feet forward and innovate! Our proposed redesign of the Google logo showed companies how they could use their brands to raise awareness and enhance safety. Let’s think about what we’ll do next or how we’ll progress from this time. There are millions of opportunities to improve life through design and we’re glad to take up the challenge!
