Jaguar Land Rover is predicting that vehicles in the future will be used to help combat the spread of harmful superbugs.
The British firm says that ultraviolet light technology (UV-C) that’s normally used in the medical industry could be integrated into a vehicle’s air ventilation system.
With the help of this technology, which is used to disinfect water, filter air and sterilise surfaces, more harmful pathogens can be prevented from entering the cabins of vehicles, as they become more resistant to antibiotics.
Dr Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover chief medical officer, said: “The average motorist spends as much as 300 hours per year behind the wheel. There is a clear opportunity to better utilise cars for administering preventative healthcare.
“The implementation of individual wellbeing measures as part of our ‘tranquil sanctuary’ research promises to not only improve quality of life for our customers but in this case, offers clear advantages in reducing pathogen spread – protecting the overall population from the threat of disease; particularly as we move towards shared mobility solutions.”
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Although JLR already use air ionisation on its top-end models – the Jaguar I-Pace and Range Rover – to deactivate pathogens and reduce odour. This UV-C tech would be a step further to make cars even cleaner in the future.
Immunology expert Dr Hellmutt Münch, Medical Enzyme Research Association chief executive officer, said: “The rise of superbugs and allergens is one of the largest threats we face as a species today. Investment in immunology is vital in ensuring that our immune systems stay ahead of the race against microorganisms, which are evolving far quicker than traditional pharmaceuticals can keep pace with.
“It is important that we continue to take an innovative look at how we can adapt our environment to help prevent the spread of the most harmful pathogens - which is why this research is paramount.”
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