These billboards double as disinfecting stations for your phone

An innovative new out-of-home project in Finland is providing a useful service during the coronavirus pandemic by turning billboards into disinfectant terminals for phones.

The terminals, developed by Nordic health company Terveystalo and agency TBWA/Helsinki, claim to clean a phone in only 15 seconds using UVC light. Coronavirus is thought to survive for up to four weeks on smartphone screens, but existing consumer solutions for disinfecting phones can take up to 15 minutes. 

The billboards, located in shopping centers in Helsinki and Turku in southern Finland, are designed with a small hatch where people can place their smartphone for cleaning. Because exposure to UVC light can be harmful, causing skin irritation and in extreme cases loss of sight, the user is protected by the UVC light in the billboards turning on only when the hatch is closed.

"We're surrounded by structures everywhere that can be re-thought to offer some relief to the current Coronavirus situation. Here we wanted to bring up a topic less talked about, then offer a way to solve it. What better way to tackle both of these than OOH advertising spaces located in public areas,” says Juhana Hokkanen, innovation director from TBWA\ Helsinki.

“We at Terveystalo see health in a wider context," adds Veera Siivonen, marketing and communications drector at Terveystalo. "Not only do we cure diseases but concentrate on preventing them. In the midst of a global pandemic, having a strong immune system and practicing proper hand hygiene is highly important. This project is also a reminder for people to take care of all aspects of their health and billboards are a great way to spread this important message."