An idea first brought to the University of Guelph by Collingwood-based consultant Greenland Engineering six years ago has now come full circle, with the Town of Collingwood being chosen as the first test site for the new, innovative technology.
The University of Guelph’s new smart door access system pilot project launched in Collingwood on July 30, allowing users to use a mobile app to open doors at town hall and the Collingwood Public Library.
“The most important thing for us as a research and developer, is we want to provide something for which there is a need. We think there’s a need for this kind of device,” Dr. Hussein Abdullah, engineering professor at the University of Guelph, told CollingwoodToday in an interview.
“Collingwood showed interest in the device, so we selected them as the first place to test the technology in the real world,” he said. “I hope the trial will help us identify and strengthen that need so it can help us go further.”
First researched, funded and developed in the school of engineering at the University of Guelph starting in 2018, the technology allows users to open doors remotely using their cell phones. Through the app, which is available on Android, iOS, and Windows operating systems, users can select which door to open during the building’s operating hours, and can choose the length of time to keep it open between five seconds and one minute.
“This device can enhance accessibility to a building and prevent physical contact if you’re concerned about germs or bacteria,” said Abdullah. “Some people don’t want to touch the door.”
For Collingwood’s three-month pilot, participants are asked to use the system and comment on its performance, functionality and impact.
At the end of the study, a survey will be sent to participants, and the data collected will be used to analyze and evaluate the system’s performance.
Abdullah said that while the idea was first brought to them by Greenland Engineering in 2018, the project was put on pause during the pandemic and started up again in May 2022. With the worst parts of the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, his research team saw new potential applications for the technology.
“In 2018, the technology was intended to help people with mobility or upper limb physical impairments,” explained Abdullah. “In 2022, more objectives were added. After the pandemic, we thought it could help eliminate (the need) for physical contact...to avoid the spread of viruses.”
He explained that the technology can be helpful in public spaces where viruses might be more likely to be spread, such as hospitals, laboratories and care homes.
There are also options within the technology to give access to specific people to access a space, which could eliminate the need for keys or key fobs, although those features aren’t being tested in the Collingwood pilot.
“The beauty of the design is it can work with any door with a motor, so there’s no need to reconstruct doors that use this technology,” he said.
Once the three-month pilot is complete, Abdullah said work will begin to evaluate all feedback and start work on producing a commercial prototype.
To participate in the study and download the app, click here. A QR code is also scannable at both doors using the technology in Collingwood.
If you have any questions about the study, Abdullah can be reached at [email protected].
