During a recent XR event, Lorenzo Vallone, the COO of Cleanbox, discussed several issues associated with traditional cleaning methods.
Be honest: when was the last time you cleaned your VR headset? You clean your personal device as seldom as you wish. But if you use a headset at work or to demo an experience at an event, wouldn’t you like to know that it had been cleaned recently?
How much time is required to clean one headset? And how about cleaning two headsets?
According to Vallone, it requires a minimum of ten minutes to effectively sanitize a headset using traditional sanitary wipes. Additionally, a minimum of three wipes should be used.
However, it is important to avoid using the wipes on the lenses directly. While many guides suggest using soap and water, there are certain areas on your headset where water should be avoided.
For an individual using a personal headset, this isn’t too much of a burden – particularly if you don’t clean your headset after every use. But, there are at least two situations where this kind of set-up can be a pain-point.
Demos and Shows
I encountered Vallone during Meta Center Global Week. Numerous vendors were displaying VR equipment and software, with the expectation that they would at least clean the headsets briefly with a wet wipe before handing them over.
Vallone commented that in a scenario such as this, there is a high rate of employee replacement and limited time available for sanitization.
There is a significant queue of people eagerly awaiting their turn to experience the limited quantity of Quest 3 headsets at Metacenter Global Week.
Fortunately, the headsets (hopefully) do not accumulate much dirt during these short demonstrations. Nevertheless, they still require proper maintenance.
Education or Industry
In schools or professional environments, there may be a higher usage of multiple headsets for extended durations, with longer breaks in between each session.
The positive aspect is that there is enough time available to clean a dozen or two dozen headsets before the next shift or class. The drawback, however, is that manually cleaning a dozen or two dozen headsets is a time-consuming task.
Vallone’s estimate that a headset takes ten minutes to clean includes the headset air drying (a step recommended by most manufacturers), so cleaning thirty headsets doesn’t necessarily take 300 minutes. But, it still might take an hour or more for a single person to do.
And a lot of wipes. Vallone is particularly passionate about the endless wipes ending up in landfills for the sake of clean VR hardware.
Scaling Headset Sanitation
Vallone has developed a technique to determine the amount of time, money, and number of wipes required for maintaining headset cleanliness for operations of varying sizes. The expenses can be unexpectedly significant.
Vallone expressed his belief that Cleanbox holds the solution, which he considers crucial for the growth of the XR industry.
Cleanbox units have the capability to clean a wide range of items, although certain models are specifically created for VR headsets and accessories.
Cleanbox is the exclusive provider of devices designed specifically for VR headsets. These devices utilize UV-C LED light, a technology commonly used to sanitize medical equipment at home.
A person who pursues a hobby could create a basic version using supplies that are readily available for purchase. However, Cleanbox devices are specifically engineered to sanitize all components of the headset at the same time, completing the process in approximately one minute. These units are capable of accommodating one, two, or 24 headsets.
A more general version is suitable for a broader range of devices, and Cleanbox has potential uses in both the medical and hospitality sectors. Any item that needs to be transported between rooms or passed between people is eligible.
I am unsure if I have ever cleaned my headsets.
If you are considering headset sanitation beyond just briefly reading about it in your device manual, you may realize that a Cleanbox is not necessary for personal use. However, once you start contemplating it, it becomes difficult to ignore. Therefore, take care of your headsets and the next person who uses them will appreciate it.
