Hands free lavatory door lock to tackle Covid-19

For passengers that do not wish to use their fingers or hands to touch the lavatory door, Jamco and ANA, a Skytrax certified five-star airline, have provided a solution that allows them to use their forearm or elbow to open the door and return to their seats with their hands remaining clean.

The hands-free lavatory lock knob and door handle are low-cost items which do not burden the airline’s operational budget. The mechanism can be easily installed overnight by airlines to existing lavatories without major modification.

ANA, as the development partner for the hands-free products, is expected to be the first operator to use the lock, in line with its ANA Care Promise, the company’s commitment to ensure health and safety of passengers with hygienic environments in airports, lounges, and on aircraft.

In the wake of COVID-19, touchless, hygienic cabin interiors support passengers’ need for safety during travel. Keeping hands clean by frequently washing with soap and water helps prevent infection. The new hands-free lavatory door system reassures passengers that they can exit the lavatory safely keeping their hands cleaner after washing thus helping to stop the spread of illness.

Many aircraft interior suppliers have proposed a variety of solutions that address travel safety during the COVID-19 crisis; however, Jamco’s claims its hands-free lavatory door system is the only product worldwide to roll out a demonstration with an airline so far.

The demonstration was carried out as part of development process with ANA. The hands-free lavatory door was installed for testing at Tokyo Haneda Airport in August, and was well-received by the majority of passengers.

Jamco’s hands-free lavatory door technology, in development with ANA’s Care Promise, is part of the company’s ‘Project Blue Sky’ – an initiative designed to increase cabin cleanliness and alleviate passenger stress during air travel, both critically important in the wake of the COVID-19 global health crisis.

Jamco is a lavatory and galley supplier for a variety of aircraft, including the sole original equipment lavatory and galley supplier for the Boeing 787.

The company says it welcomes all airlines to take the opportunity to implement hands-free lavatory door technology.

www.jamco.co.jp/en