Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Touchless technology takes elevator call buttons to new highs

By Mike Santora | April 25, 2022

02A HoverTap cabin elevator switch control

Shown here is a commercial elevator application for the HoverTap.

Vancouver-based NZ Technologies — a designer and manufacturer of human-machine interfaces (HMIs) primarily for the medical market — recently entered into a Manufacturing Collaboration Agreement with Dupar Controls to produce a modern take on elevator call buttons and panels. The latter is a maker of elevator and keypad components.

Together, the companies are manufacturing a no-touch HMI and control product called the HoverTap Lift to replace traditional elevator call buttons and panels — making the elevator experience more hygienic. The NZ Technologies engineering team will provide the core hardware. Dupar Controls will market the product to its extensive customer base.

How HoverTap technology works
HoverTap has two main components — capacitive sensor hardware (panel or LCD screen) and a controller loaded with programming that incorporates an AI algorithm. Together, the hardware and software allow accurate real-time 3D detection of users’ fingertips without any latency associated with other touchless screens. The software interprets these positions as command inputs.

Again, the HoverTap touchless technology for the elevator system comes in two offerings:
• HoverTap Lift — the sensor panel is installed above a lit LCD touchscreen in the elevator car operating panel (COP), displaying virtual buttons to allow touchless taps in the air for destination floor selection.
• HoverTap Swipe — the sensor panel is installed behind pressure-contact control buttons to allow contactless control with simple gestures like swipes or taps in the air to call the elevator.

Designed with easy integration in mind, both HoverTap Lift, and Swipe have a picture-frame form-factor that fits over a surface to enable touchless interactions. Flush panel mounting supports maintenance, aesthetics, and code compliance. The product solely relies on preloaded software and no cumbersome installation of apps. Also, there are no camera sensors in the product, eliminating privacy concerns and bypassing various common hindrances to vision-based sensing problems, including ambient light fluctuations and obstructions.

The inspiration behind HoverTap is the TIPSO AirPad — a product developed to give surgeons contactless equipment controls in operating rooms during surgery.

The HoverTap technology was first installed for commercial use at the Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Now the technology is also employed in other buildings in Greater Vancouver to ensure a safe and healthy return-to-work environment for employees and visitors. Future HoverTap installations are targeted to educational institutes, airports, railway stations, medical buildings, and commercial offices — and the hospitality and hotel industry in their efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and maximize facility cleanliness and convenience.

NZ Technologies
nztech.ca

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: Displays • HMIs • operator interfaces • monitors, SENSORS
Tagged With: nztechnologies
 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Widening the scope for machine tool designers with FORTiS™ enclosed encoder
  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.