Boeing testing hand-held UV wand to sanitize cockpits, cabins

SEATTLE (Reuters) – Boeing Co reported on Friday it is acquiring a hand-held wand that emits ultraviolet gentle to neutralize germs and viruses, aspect of a suite of methods to disinfect flight deck surfaces and controls, as very well as surfaces through the cabin.

Worries by airline employees and travellers about the distribute of COVID-19 has fueled a rush by firms to roll out new technology for plane sanitization.

The wand would remove the require for applying liquor or other disinfectants that could hurt delicate digital devices, Rae Lutters, chief engineer for Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator application, informed a media briefing.

Boeing is looking at licensing the technological know-how and hiring third-celebration organizations in the drop to start off manufacturing the wands for business use, it claimed.

Boeing has been doing the job on the technological innovation with 13 unique airlines. Kevin Callahan, a Boeing technical fellow primary screening of the wand prototype, cited “very strong interest” as carriers think about restoring confidence in flying as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Beneath heightened cleansing practices, a lot of airlines have begun utilizing electrostatic disinfectants, which get rid of viruses on speak to, as properly as an anti-microbial spray that sorts a coating for 30 days.

Boeing is also tests an anti-microbial coating for plane surfaces.

(The story corrects title of particular person quoted in paragraph 5)