A single door handle can carry more bacteria than a toilet seat. Studies show that pathogens like E. coli and MRSA can survive on surfaces for hours or even days. In hospitals, offices, and high-traffic areas, every touch increases the risk of cross-contamination, making traditional door hardware a growing safety concern.

For years, hands-free access was a convenience feature used to improve customer flow in malls, offices, and airports. That changed when health crises exposed the dangers of high-touch surfaces, forcing businesses to rethink facility safety. Hospitals, cleanrooms, and security-sensitive buildings needed better solutions, but many early touchless systems proved unreliable, with frequent false activations and environmental interference.

Facilities now demand precision, reliability, and seamless integration in their touchless access systems. The Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch meets these needs with microwave sensor technology, ensuring accurate detection and fewer operational inefficiencies.

Early Automation: Built for Ease, Not Safety

Touchless access began as a way to improve convenience in retail stores, offices, and transportation hubs. Early motion sensors helped reduce bottlenecks and improve foot traffic flow but were not designed with hygiene or security in mind.

These systems relied on Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors, which detected heat signatures to trigger door openings. While useful in controlled environments, PIR technology often misfired due to temperature shifts, sunlight, and moving objects, making it unreliable for hospitals and labs where precise control is essential.

Despite these shortcomings, these early solutions paved the way for more advanced and reliable touchless technology. As hygiene became a top priority, the demand for smarter access control systems grew rapidly.

The Hygiene Revolution: A Response to Global Health Concerns

Before the pandemic, most people rarely thought about the surfaces they touched. Door handles, elevator buttons, and PIN pads were just part of everyday life. That changed almost overnight as public awareness of surface contamination soared, leaving businesses scrambling to eliminate shared touchpoints wherever possible.

The need for hands-free access became urgent as health concerns spread beyond sterile environments. Offices, schools, and commercial buildings faced growing pressure to adopt touchless solutions that reduced transmission risks while ensuring accessibility. But early solutions, like PIR-based touchless switches, sometimes failed in real-world conditions, triggering false activations and frustrating users.

To meet these challenges, microwave sensor technology emerged as a more precise and adaptable solution. Products like the Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch now provide the hygiene benefits facilities need without sacrificing performance.

Advanced Sensor Technology That Works in Real-World Conditions

Not all touchless access solutions offer the same level of precision and reliability. Many outdated systems struggle with false activations, inconsistent performance, and limited adaptability, leading to operational inefficiencies and security risks. Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch is designed to eliminate these issues by providing customizable, high-precision access control that adapts to a facility’s unique requirements.

Key features include:

  • Adjustable detection range (4-24 inches) for greater control over activation sensitivity.
  • Customizable hold times (0.5 to 30 seconds) to allow access time based on the application.
  • Anti-corrosive, easy-to-clean thermoplastic faceplate that withstands frequent sanitization.
  • IP54-rated design for protection against moisture and dust

Built for healthcare, laboratories, cleanrooms, and high-security facilities, CleanWave’s microwave sensor technology ensures precise activation without false triggers. Its seamless integration with electronic locks, automatic doors, and access control systems makes it the ideal upgrade for businesses seeking a smarter, more dependable touchless access solution.

Touchless Access and Accessibility: Meeting the Needs of All Users

Touchless access is more than a hygiene solution. It plays a critical role in creating barrier-free environments that allow all users to move freely. Traditional door hardware can be difficult to operate for individuals with limited mobility, while push-to-exit buttons still require physical contact. The Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch addresses these challenges by providing effortless, hands-free entry that improves accessibility and ensures compliance.

Here’s how CleanWave improves accessibility:

  • No-touch operation ensures seamless access for individuals using wheelchairs, mobility aids, or carrying heavy items.
  • Bold text and symbols (“Wave to Open,” hand logo) improve visibility and usability.
  • Adjustable detection range prevents accidental activations while ensuring reliable performance.
  • ADA-compliant design meets global accessibility standards, making it suitable for public buildings, hospitals, and workplaces.

The CleanWave Touchless Switch sets a new standard in touchless access, combining hygiene, security, and accessibility to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all users.

The Future of Touchless Access: Smarter, Safer, and More Adaptive

Touchless access control has evolved from a simple convenience to a critical part of modern facility management. Businesses that continue to rely on outdated systems face increased security risks, higher maintenance costs, and operational inefficiencies that slow down workflows. False activations and unreliable sensors disrupt daily operations, creating unnecessary obstacles in high-traffic areas. Facilities need smarter, more adaptable solutions that function reliably in all conditions.

The Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch is built for the future of intelligent access control. With precise microwave sensor technology, customizable settings, and seamless security integration, CleanWave provides a touchless access solution that meets the needs of hygiene-conscious, high-security, and accessibility-focused environments.

Facility managers, architects, and security professionals looking to enhance hygiene, improve accessibility, and streamline operations can now rely on a system designed for long-term performance.

Upgrade to CleanWave today for smarter, safer, and more reliable touchless access.