Overview
We were asked to adapt an existing hand sanitiser dispenser into a dual-purpose unit that could also serve as a digital advertising platform. The upgraded design featured a built-in display screen for targeted content, remote hub control for ad management, and telemetry to monitor usage and maintenance requirements. The electrical system was upgraded to accommodate mains power, and a micro PC was integrated to support video playback. Although developed as a working prototype, the product was shelved as demand declined after the pandemic, but the concept remains open for future development.

‍Methodology
The project centered on upgrading an existing sanitiser dispenser to serve as both a hygiene station and an advertising platform. We started the redesigning process by specifying and sourcing a suitable display screen, and then modified the sheet metal casing and paneling to securely accommodate the new components. Quality improvements included replacing traditional fixings with optimised sheet metal geometry as well as removing problematic parts from the original design to streamline manufacturing. We upgraded the existing 6V system to mains electricity, integrated a micro PC to enable video playback, and externally developed basic PCB code to ensure continuous ad display.

‍Results Discussion
We successfully transformed a standard sanitiser dispenser into a multifunctional advertising platform, integrating hub control and telemetry to offer enhanced capabilities. The upgraded electrical system, display screen and micro PC enabled the unit to run targeted advertisements, while the telemetry features provided data on product usage and maintenance needs. We were able to solve manufacturing issues with the original design by introducing sheet metal geometry and removing problematic parts. The prototype performed well, but the product was ultimately shelved due to reduced demand post-pandemic. The design still remains a promising concept for future development.