Drive Thru Menu Board case study – Ordering coffee at BigFoot Java, a popular coffee chain in the Pacific Northwest, is now even more quick and convenient. ☕
Alongside EcoDigital Media, we created an elevated, digitized drive-thru experience by installing our Outdoor Digital Menu Boards. By installing this solution in 112 different BigFoot Java locations, individual stores can now remotely swap out signage to reflect new offerings, sale prices, sold-out products, and much more.
Thanks to the built-in Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display in these menu boards, customers at this 24/7 drive-thru will get a bright and crisp view of the menu at all times.
Peerless-AV Menu Boards: A Display of Digital Signage Excellence
Peerless-AV is a leading provider of digital signage solutions, and their menu boards are no exception. These high-quality displays are designed to help restaurants, quick-service restaurants (QSRs), and other businesses showcase their menus in a clear, attractive, and engaging way.
Benefits of Peerless-AV Menu Boards
There are many benefits to using Peerless-AV menu boards. Some of the most notable include:
Increased sales: Digital menus can be used to promote high-margin items, combo meals, and upsells. Studies have shown that digital menus can lead to a significant increase in sales.
Improved customer experience: Digital menus are easy to read and navigate, even in busy environments. They can also be used to display real-time information, such as wait times and nutritional content.
Reduced costs: Digital menus can eliminate the need for printed menus, which can save businesses money in the long run. They can also be updated remotely, which saves time and labor.
Versatility: Peerless-AV offers a wide variety of menu board sizes and styles to fit the needs of any business. They also offer a variety of mounting options, including wall mounts, ceiling mounts, and floor stands.
Features of Peerless-AV Menu Boards
Peerless-AV menu boards are packed with features that make them ideal for use in a variety of environments. Some of the most notable features include:
High-brightness displays: Peerless-AV menu boards are available with high-brightness displays that can be seen clearly even in direct sunlight.
Weatherproof enclosures: Peerless-AV menu boards are available in weatherproof enclosures that can withstand the elements.
Touchscreen displays: Peerless-AV offers a variety of touchscreen displays that allow customers to interact with the menu.
Content management system: Peerless-AV offers a content management system that makes it easy to create and update your menu content.
Conclusion
Peerless-AV menu boards are a great investment for any business that wants to improve their customer experience and increase sales. With their high-quality displays, versatile features, and easy-to-use content management system, Peerless-AV menu boards are a surefire way to take your business to the next level.
We just got back from NRF and AI robotic restaurant stuff was all over the show floor. Robotic pizza for example. One of our favorite aspects of AI is overhead cameras in the kitchen to monitor food preparation. Also table usage. Here is our wrap on recent robotic restaurant news
Uber Eats and Mitsubishi in Japan delivery robot — 1. Pan of delivery robot of Uber Eats moving on the sidewalk in Nihonbashi, Tokyo 2. Various of delivery robot moving on the sidewalk 3. Mid of person ordering food on a smartphone for demonstration 4. Wide of delivery robot starting delivery 5. Various of delivery robot moving on the sidewalk 6. Pan of a media conference 7. SOUNDBITE (Japanese), Alvin Oo, Director of Market Operations of Uber Eats Japan:
Rivalry Tech partnering with RoboEatz — RoboEatz is known for its autonomous robotic kitchen system, which prepares high-quality dishes efficiently and consistently for health care organizations, businesses, higher education institutions and quick-service restaurants. Rivalry Tech will couple RoboEatz’s system with its user interface, known as myEATZ, that’s currently in use at several Houston Methodist Hospitals, the TMC Innovation Factory, and in resorts, hospitals, office buildings, and more, according to the company’s website.
Market Leader Chef Robotics Surpasses 10M Meals in Production Using AI-Enabled Robots — Consider that it took Chef 314 days to get to 1M meals in production, 100 days to reach 2M, an additional 21 days to get to 3M, and only 18 additional days to get to 4M.
5 Things to Know About Kernel, the New Restaurant From the Founder of Chipotle — You can’t just walk in and get food. What’s so unusual about Kernel? It shaves down the number of workers per shop to three instead of, say, 10. It features a robot arm that prepares up to 1000 individual items a day. And it blows past current notions of hospitality with the shop’s method of ordering and pick up.
The Robot Report — According to A3, North American companies purchased 31,159 robots in 2023, compared with 44,196 ordered in 2022 and 39,708 in 2021. These 2023 robot orders were divided almost equally among automotive (15,723 robots sold) and non-automotive companies (15,436 robots sold). This represented a 34% drop in sales to automotive OEMs and automotive suppliers over 2022 and a 25% total decrease in all other industries. A3 will show the latest technologies at Automate in Chicago from May 6 to 9, 2024. It will feature more than 750 exhibitors of everything from robotics and motion control to machine vision and artificial intelligence for a variety of industries and applications. “While robotic sales were down over the year, 2023 ended with both an increase over the previous quarter and a nearly equal number of sales from automotive and non-automotive companies,” noted Burnstein. “Both are promising signs that more industries are becoming increasingly comfortable with automation overall.”
See our NRF 2024 review and writeup. The show was terrific. Check out our photo gallery. The line at the pizza ordering kiosk to order the robotic pizza was very long.
From Tim Tang — “The most impressive thing that I saw at NRF 2024 for restaurants was the bartaco dine-in restaurant experience with Amazon Pay and OneDine. This initiative demonstrated an intimate understanding and sensitivity to the guest experience while creatively solving a common industry tech debt challenge of legacy POS through an innovative collaboration with market leading technologies. With rising operational costs, an ongoing labor shortage and shrinking customer wallet, the restaurant industry will need this type of thoughtful operational execution to thrive.”
Craig K — Robotics were something to see though the details are still being worked out (food source, etc). On the kiosk side it was good to see Samsung kiosks adding accessibility finally. POS and mobile POS for employees and customers was EVERYWHERE. Payment systems as well. AI was overblown and almost trite. theroboburger.com
Adam your robotic bartender — A dozen Adam robots have been deployed nationwide so far, in venues such as the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Los Angeles, the Cloutea boba shop at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, and the Botbar Coffee chain. Adam also gets rented out for parties and conferences.A complete Adam with a custom setup table and equipment sells for $180,000, though Casella says they’re experimenting with other pricing models and partnerships.
How Restaurants Are Embracing Robots — All the big chain restaurants are testing and installing AI-infused robotics — mainly in the back of the house, but also in customer-facing roles, both tableside and at the drive-thru. We tend to think a lot of testing is going on, but that is about it.
Aniai is bringing a burger-cooking robot to restaurants with $12M — Aniai, a startup that has built a burger-grilling robot, Alpha Grill, said today it has raised $12 million, bringing its total raise to $15 million. The money will go toward launching its first manufacturing facility, Factory One, in South Korea. The firm will also be deploying a cloud-based AI software platform for the robot called Alpha Cloud. Robot adoption in the restaurant business is becoming popular as it can help restaurants address their high pain points like labor shortages, and rising wage issues. Robotics enables restaurants to save 30% to 70% of labor costs, and restaurants could replace more than 80% of restaurant positions with robots, according to a research report.
Raising the Bar:Empower Field at Mile High Secures Top Spot in Zippin’s Highest Sales per Event Award — Drink Mkt 103 is one of nine at the venue and has seen impressive sales since opening in 2019. This year, in partnership with Zippin, IDmission, and Aramark, the store further revolutionized the fan experience by integrating Digital ID Verification and eliminating manual ID checks for alcoholic purchases. In a world where efficiency and convenience reign supreme, combining checkout-free technology and digital identification proved to be a game-changer. Fans can zip through Drink Mkt 103 even faster than before, as evidenced by the store’s performance this year. The integration is now rolled out across all Zippin-powered stores at Empower Field.
Food Assembly — Chef Robotics Raises $14.75M To Automate Food Assembly in Commercial Kitchens. From Techcrunch: Rajat Bhageria tells TechCrunch that Chef distinguishes itself from the likes of Miso by focusing on food assembly, rather than cooking specifically. The company is also touting ChefOS, the underlying software driving its robot arm’s decisions. “[F]ood is very highly dimensional: depending on how you prep the ingredients (e.g., julienned onions vs chopped), cook the ingredients (e.g., sauteed, baked, broiled), store the ingredients (e.g., cooked, room temp, frozen), the material properties radically differ,” the company notes.
Nice writeup on student union restaurant kiosks. This is another project by Aramark working with Grubhub (using Elo kiosks and Ingenico POS devices.)
A kiosk in use in the Student Union on Jan. 30, 2024. Photo by Jamari Osborne.
Here is a summary:
New kiosks and screens in the student union: The article reports on the recent installation of ordering kiosks and monitors in the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union, a partnership between Ole Miss Dining and GrubHub.
Benefits and drawbacks of the new system: The article cites the advantages of the new system, such as increased efficiency, reduced wait times, and improved dining experience. It also mentions the challenges and complaints from some students and employees, such as the inability to use two meal swipes, the confusion over the ordering process, and the loss of customer interaction.
Reactions from different stakeholders: The article quotes the opinions of various people involved in the project, such as the resident district manager of Aramark, the food service company that supplies Ole Miss Dining, several students who eat and work in the union, and the coordinators of the new technology.
Excerpt
We began exploring solutions this summer in anticipation of increased enrollment and in response to feedback we received in focus groups regarding long lines,” Chip Burr, resident district manager with Aramark Higher Education at UM, said. “GrubHub Ultimate provides multiple ordering options from a single platform, which presents our guests with a choice on how to complete transactions.”
Although this partnership was not cheap, Burr explained that the price tag is not unusual.
“The hardware investment was a little over $50,000, which aligns with the industry standard for point-of-sale equipment in such a large retail setting,” he said.
More Analysis
We were talking to Lainey Feingold and offered these observations.
No audio?
no braille?
no screenreader or screen magnifier?
Note that Grubhub has other POS “warts” that more difficult to use (see video below)
surprised there is MSR. Must be old campus card.
zero tactile navigation (usually AudioPad)\
Countertops and counter configuration for reach look to be difficult (a lot like Whole Foods)
Some will say the fixed POS device is violation of operable parts (cannot be detached and brought down for better access and privacy)
I’m sure the UI would not withstand close inspection. Looks like it would fail the basic Google web/mobile accessibility/usability parameters + WCAG 2.1 AA.
Typically Aramark, Grubhub, Elo and Freedom Pay equation
Restaurant Kiosk ROI review of three different restaurant kiosk deployments and the return on investment numbers (and dollars) including cost savings. For full article and study click here.
Summary
Self-ordering kiosks in restaurants: This is a white paper that analyzes the financial benefits of using self-ordering kiosks in three different types of restaurants: a taqueria, a burger restaurant, and a ramen restaurant1.
Reduced labor expenses and increased sales: The study shows how the kiosks can help the restaurants save on labor costs, increase customer satisfaction, and boost sales through suggestive selling features that offer additional items to customers.
Return on investment and impact on owner’s pay: Thestudy calculates the return on investment (ROI) for each restaurant based on the initial and ongoing costs of the kiosks, the reduced labor expenses, and the increased profit from suggestive selling2. It also estimates the impact of the kiosks on the owner’s take-home pay per month and per year.
Conclusion and recommendation: The conclusion is that self-ordering kiosks are a valuable investment for restaurant owners looking to improve their financial well-being and stay competitive in the evolving hospitality industry3. It also suggests that franchise groups should consider the large-scale impact of this technology on their strategic goals and initiatives.
Quote Review
“We’ve reviewed hundreds of ROI case studies and by far this is the most detailed look, by the numbers, that we have seen for restaurant kiosk ROI and in particular Clover POS with Samsung kiosk”, said Kiosk Industry manager Craig Allen Keefner, with over 40 years experience.
Excerpt
The taqueria operates nine or ten hours a day, depending on the day of the week. They are open seven days a week, excluding holidays. Their entry level employees are paid an average of $14.24 per hour. When factoring in an 8% burden they measure their employee cost at $15.38 per hour.
To evaluate the return on investment (ROI) for the taqueria, we consider the initial investment (in this case two kiosks), the monthly costs, reduced labor expenses, and increased sales due to suggestive selling features. It also took less than seven weeks for this restaurant to make back their investment in kiosks.
INITIAL INVESTMENT: $7,720 » Weekly Costs: $38.77 (for two kiosks) » Reduced Labor Expenses: Approximately $384.50 per week » Increased Profit: Estimated weekly increase of $763.51 » ROI: Calculated as (Net Annual Benefit / Initial Investment) x 100 » ROI for taqueria: (57,697 – 2,016) / 7,720 = 747%
When The Human Bean needed a higher quality, cost-effective solution to improve communications at their current and future franchise locations, they turned to Panasonic Connect, the leaders in durability, to help better connect team members with customers – and each other. The Attune HD is the next generation, drive-thru communication system that features four levels of digital noise reduction technology. Now, team members and customers experience crystal-clear, noise-free sound without annoying auditory distractions.
There is no frequency disruption because the Attune HD operates on a unique frequency to avoid interfering with nearby devices, with three microphones that detect and cancel out three different types of noises, including burst noises like loud sirens and ice machines, drone noises like traffic or electronic equipment and background noises like indoor chatter from the front of the house.
Several of The Human Bean locations were looking for a different, more cost-effective solution to improve the communication between their employees and customers. They wanted to avoid overpaying for a sound system riddled with static that resulted in team frustration and order errors.
SOLUTIONS
A number of The Human Bean locations installed Panasonic Connect’s Attune HD Communications System, with digital noise reduction technology that delivers the clearest, noise-free sound between customers and employees, for faster service and
minimized errors.
RESULTS
Panasonic Connect’s Attune HD Communications System has helped streamline operations – with clearer team and customers communications and reduced errors
After a busy NRF 2024 show, I found myself with hours to wait at JFK airport. Needing a quick meal, I headed to a well-known burger chain. Instead of the usual counter, two tabletop kiosks were the only way to order. A line of 10-15 people stretched in front of them, with another group waiting for their food.
As I waited, I observed two older women and a mother with her daughter struggling with the touchscreen interface. Language barriers and unfamiliarity with the system slowed them down significantly.
My usual instinct would be to help, but as a self-service professional, I was curious to see how the restaurant would handle this.
When the prepared food line cleared, you’d expect staff to step in and assist the kiosk users.
Click for full size – Fast Food Order Kiosk
Instead, they opened a traditional cash register and called me over.
“Your order, please!”
Caught off-guard, I was disappointed.
With a kiosk, I enjoy browsing all the potential customizations at my leisure: different bun options, unique sauces, tempting sides.
I love experimenting with toppings and finding new flavor combinations. Instead, with no menu details in sight, I chose a basic burger, fries, and Coke.
This felt rushed and impersonal, and the restaurant missed out on upsell opportunities I often explore when using a self-service interface.
What Makes Service Personal?
In my rushed situation, the lack of a familiar self-service kiosk is what actually felt impersonal. I was denied the chance to engage with the menu on my own terms, making choices guided by visuals and exploring what sounded appealing.
Being thrust into a hurried verbal order felt less like personalized service and more
like simply being processed to reduce the queue.
This highlights an irony – sometimes the ability to interact at our own pace with a
well-designed interface creates a more satisfying and personal experience than
quick, potentially impersonal human interaction.
The Evolving Definition of Service
This airport experience highlights the ongoing discussion around self-service. It offers undeniable advantages:
Speed: Skip lines and avoid waiting during busy times.
Accuracy: Your order goes directly to the kitchen, reducing errors.
Control: Explore the menu at your own pace and customize your meal.
Upselling Opportunities: Visuals and easy navigation can entice customers to add sides, drinks, or desserts.
Privacy: Order without pressure and take your time, especially helpful for those with decision anxiety.
Less Language Barrier: Multilingual interfaces accommodate diverse communities.
However, the warmth of human interaction is valuable:
Personalized service: A genuine smile and friendly chat can improve your experience.
Recommendations: Knowledgeable staff can guide you to dishes you might enjoy.
Flexibility: Easily change your mind, modify items, or discuss special requests.
Preferences often depend on the situation and age.
Younger individuals often prefer technology, while older customers, those less comfortable with technology, or people in groups might favor traditional interaction.
My airport experience showed that even when self-service is designed for speed, ignoring the needs of some customers creates a less welcoming experience for everyone.
The Future: Balancing Personalization and Efficiency
Restaurants face the challenge of delivering personalized experiences while maximizing speed. That’s where a hybrid model shines:
Self-Service Efficiency: Customers who prefer the ease and control of kiosks can quickly get their orders in.
Optimized Staffing: A single, well-trained staff member can monitor kiosks, ensuring a smooth experience and offering prompt assistance to those who need it.
Personalized Enhancements: Staff remain dedicated to offering helpful recommendations, addressing customizations, and making every diner feel valued.
The way we order food changes, but the goal remains a positive experience for every customer. By blending technology and a customer-centric focus, restaurants can create a welcoming environment that maximizes efficiency and ensures diners walk away satisfied.
The new McDonald’s is finally open here in Thornton and seeing McDonald’s Kiosk designs is one of my responsibilities. I have an older McDonalds down the street but the new one is right next to my golf course.
What We Learned and Confirmed
Not surprising to see it go in across from the new In-and-Out and Canes
Most surprising is the compressed ordering area which consists of 5 kiosks with some enabled for cash as well.
The usual long counter with LCD menus is virtually gone
Two people help with orders and you sit down and they bring it to you (or you stand around)
The drive thru menuboards are active digital menus. My “updated” MCD down the street still uses cardboard for specials
The drive thru menuboards are facing the sun. We’ll see how they hold up…
On the drive thru pre-order you can see the Coates decal at bottom
Figure OH55s from Samsung. Note the “isotropic” failures in California by Coates/Samsung earlier.
There is legal action related to all that as well. Improper/lack of ventilation can cause edge seal breach. Damage is permanent.
Figure the LCDs are $10K each themselves not counting supporting engineering
Regulatory — I didn’t see UL sticker on the kiosks
Kiosk providers — these are manufactured and designed by Pyramid out of Germany (polytouch NGK32 K2) and “vended” into McD by Diebold Nixdorf. DN and other related companies like NCR have suffered the last couple of years. DN showed good recent results.
Nice service contract though given McD certainly margin-limited
Service photo — receipt jammed and employee fixed it
Digital Signage display right next to one of the kiosks. Not sure from who.
Cash — we were talking to attendant and got onto the Glory cash handling. Unfortunately Glory still uses bank terminology designed for bank employees, in a retail restaurant where customers are not trained cashiers. Not often used but the recurring question by customers is “What are Notes?. Is that something on my phone or something?”
WiFi — surprised at how fast it is upload and download. Typically lucky to see 15 and they are almost 100. Makes it a great place to loiter.
We decided last night to try and challenge our current pizza place with a new one, Your Pie.
On the internet they all say best pizza ever in my area so I thought “Let’s See”.
Ordering and paying are the real pains in the process. I always think about the ordering and the payment process. How fast and easy?
Here are some pictures of payment setup
Notes:
Oddly enough the ultra cheap DIY payment by Oscars Kabobs (Heartland for payments) is very similar to Panera or Your Pie. My guess is for those, the same virtual mess on front counter from NCR costs 4X more upfront and then of course the recurring hostage payment.
The Your Pie was terrible. There were four of us wanting to pay and get our little flagstick with number, and there were three employees touching the touchscreen on their side trying to get an order straight. I finally made it to payment stage but the NCR unit, with the NFC pay symbol, didn’t take NFC and you had to awkwardley insert or swipe (my god!) your card.
You inserted from top down vertically and only one of four options worked (note the handpainted taped on piece of paper with instructions)
Ordering was a pain.
NCR news 2/20/2024 — NCR Voyix appoints Benny Tadele (ACI formerly) as executive vice president and president of Restaurants. Net income showed a loss of $255 million in Q4 2023 — Thinking of moving from NCR to Toast? — most of the users on Reddit say they would never go back to NCR
Costco “kiosks” — this unit sits lower to accommodate wheelchair user and is Costco’s “ADA Compliant” unit. Not really much ADA compliant about it but that’s the great thing about the word “Compliant”. Matter of degrees right?
Madgreens PAR – you do most from customer facing touchscreen (finding “No Tip” is tough) and then you pay with card or phone
Oscars rig
panera kiosk POS #1 – Here is another NCR iteration that is old generation ad-hoc configuration
terrible — three people trying to figure out what to touch and in what order while we stand in line. It becomes such a delay that when you finally do get to the payment side all the talk about would you want to sign up for this or that gets shut down immediately.
Terrible system for your credit card. Something out of dark ages. And it may say NFC but not working and have to do weird vertical insert. Or you could swipe (very dark ages).
Verdict on Food?
The super duper 15 people on staff pizza scored 60 on scale of 100
The super duper had the same standard ingredients Papa Murphys uses
Specialty toppings like Gyro and Kalamata olives only available from little guy (started by old Iranian gentleman)
The chain uses stock dough and stock ingredients and they are pretty skimpy with those.
The pizza crust from Oscars is offshoot of Iranian bread and baklava and is the best I have ever had
In fairness I tried to get my favorite pizza from a build your own. Unfortunately I could have just as well called into Papa Murphys
My cat gets excited when I order pizza from Oscars. The “consumer grade” does nothing for her. She has a thing with the crust but also with the oil from Kalamata olives
Every week another case study for a restaurant going self-order hits my desk. While monsters like Chick-Fil-A do a test delivery site and suck all the oxygen out of the media, another small to medium business takes advantage of self-service done right.
Hero Boy Sandwich in Georgia
Hero Boy Sandwich Co. in Alpharetta, GA, is serving up faster service and better profits with Ordering Kiosk by Nanonation. They have joined over 500 restaurant brands using Nanonation to enable their restaurant technology. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g7wSVVff
kiosk self order
Gemini Says
Kiosk self-ordering is a system that allows customers to browse menus, customize and place their orders, and even pay for their purchases, all through a kiosk. This kiosk is essentially a digital stand-alone computer with a touch screen interface.
Here are some of the benefits of kiosk self-ordering:
Convenience and speed: Customers can browse menus and order at their own pace, potentially reducing wait times, especially during peak hours.
Customization: Kiosks allow for easy customization of orders, which can be appealing to customers with dietary restrictions or preferences.
Increased accuracy: Since customers are entering their own orders, there’s a reduced chance of errors compared to traditional ordering through a cashier.
Efficiency for staff: With kiosks handling some of the ordering tasks, staff can focus on food preparation and customer service.
Kiosk self-ordering is becoming increasingly popular in fast food restaurants and other quick service establishments. However, it can also be found in some full-service restaurants and other retail settings.
Not all is smooth sailing in the world of Voice AI Chatbots for taking customer orders. Here is latest example.
In another look — we went and tried out the latest Voice ordering system at our local Carl Jr’s. They tested it for awhile and then took it offline after all the mistakes and have since put it back in. It was cumbersome at best to use and at the end of the order, it didn’t tell me what I had ordered and how much it would be at the next window. I checked with the employee (almost seemed like he was only one) and he said its still mixed results. Some thoughts on that:
We had to wait 15 minutes for a couple of hamburgers even though only one other customer
Cutting down on staff is short-sighted. The Voice AI cannot cook/prepare/wrap the hamburgers
Once again the balance between automation and people is a broken equation at Carl Jrs.
You can order with an AI — but forget the “fast food” factor.
Meanwhile at Dominos….
Copilot Summary
BIPA Violation Allegation: Domino’s Pizza is facing a proposed class action for allegedly collecting voiceprints through its AI ordering system without customer consent, violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
Technology Usage: The AI system, developed by ConverseNow Technologies Inc., is used in at least 57 Domino’s locations in Illinois to improve service and facilitate upselling.
Customer Data: Plaintiffs claim that while Domino’s collected names, addresses, phone numbers, and credit card numbers, they were not informed about the collection of voiceprints.
Legal Action: The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, statutory damages, and attorney fees, accusing Domino’s of not informing customers about data collection and retention as required by BIPA.
We were fortunate to get a pass from Angela Diffly to send a reporter to MURTEC and get some pictures. We participate on the RTN Framework group (and you should too). In any case here are some pictures from MURTEC.
MURTEC is THE restaurant technology networking event. Waiting line to apply for participation and not cheap. We were super fortunate that Angela extended free pass to one of our people.
Be sure and check out the Panasonic Connect Stingray kiosk and POS terminal that was shown at MURTEC. Pictures below and here is writeup.
Other followup events include
Register here for coverage on the hot tech showcased at MURTEC, insights into how these trends are reshaping the restaurant industry, and RTN’s Start-Up Alley!
Meet Our Panel:
John Miller, Director of Information Services at White Castle
Michael Montagano, CEO at Dog Haus
Robin Schweitzer, Marketing Director Close Team at Paytronix Systems
Robyn Kesler, VP of IT at Tupelo Honey Cafe
TOAST POS
Ingenico
Bite & Elotouch
KIOSK & Tray
Qikserve with Acrelec kiosk
Tillster
murtec 2024 stage
Panasonic Stingray
Comments and Opinions
Toast – been awhile since we saw a swipe MSR. Remind us of NCR units
Ingenico – always the best selection and standards adherence
Bite — not sure how you pay here. Nice Elo touchscreen
Tray — We like the UI. I wonder if KIOSK did that (they do software as well as hardware).
QikServe — again not sure where to order though “warts” are never attractive. Reminds me of Elo or Olea
Tillster — Burger King unit might be the ugliest one of them all. Looks like social loyalty almost top billing. Kudos for identifying client.
MURTEC stage – couple of very helpful people here. Angela Diffly and Robert Peterson of Oracle. I used to be sour on Ellison and Oracle but Robert has rehabilitated me and got me off the Group W bench
Panasonic CONNECT- that is the biggest StingRay display I have ever seen. Panasonic branded kiosks on tap now. 750 combinations, how about that printer, 18.5 or 21 inch. Software is agnostic which BYOS if you like. Generally Windows though given Intel 11th gen i-5. Sounds like an Android version available. POS device is side mount Wart.
Every year MURTEC comes around and we think about going. It’s one of the more exclusive events and is the ultimate restaurant technology networking events.
We participate in Restaurant Technology Network (RTN) workgroups on frameworks for restaurants and ROI. Some of the people we work with includes Angela Diffly of RTN and Robert Peterson of Oracle.
More on RTN
Angela Diffly Thought Leader
“This year, the Restaurant Technology Network (RTN) is showing up in full force at MURTEC,” commented Angela Diffly, co-founder of RTN. “We could not be more proud of the work we’ve done in the past five years, particularly in the way of industry standardization. On stage at MURTEC we’ll showcase an industry first: a real-world adoption case study of RTN’s Customer Record Data Standard. Industry standards are taking hold, and this will shape the future of restaurant technology in such powerfully positive ways.” For more information about RTN events on the ground at MURTEC 2024, including RTN’s Start-Up Alley and Ring of Fire competitions, visit https://www.murtec.com/2024/RTN.
For more information about Joining the RTN Community, visit:
Concurrent Breakout: RTN Launch: The Industry’s First Payback Comparison Tool
Tuesday, 3/12
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Join RTN as we launch the industry’s first Payback Comparison Tool, a user-friendly spreadsheet-based resource that helps restaurants determine the payback period, or break even point, for technology implementations and investments. Quickly and easily compare several projects at once, and identify projects with the shortest or most advantageous payback scenarios. You don’t want to miss your exclusive chance to see this in action, and walk away with first-rights access to your own version of RTN Payback Comparison Tool, courtesy of RTN and its key contributing members. SPEAKERS:
Robert Notte – MOD Pizza Robert Peterson – Oracle Food and Beverage
Manda Miller – Toshiba
Newark, N.J. | March 11, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Panasonic Connect North America will showcase its restaurant technology solutions, including its newest Stingray® JS9900 Kiosk Series and JS988 Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals, at MURTEC 2024. The new solutions will transform the well-known consumer experience in fast casual or quick-serve settings from a mundane order process to a completely personalized and seamless touchpoint between customers and their favorite eateries.
The new kiosks and POS terminals were built with Panasonic Connect’s customer needs in mind, focused on flexibility, efficiency, and reliability. These elements are critical not just for quick-serve restaurants, but also a variety of retail establishments from convenience stores to fueling stations, and hospitality operations looking to maximize the consumer experience and increase their reputation as a tech-forward brand. To provide staff members with the tools they need to get their jobs done more efficiently, optimize workflows, and promote data-driven processes, these new technology solutions empower consumers to take control of their own digitally enabled order or check-in process. With the easy-to-use and interactive solutions deployed throughout a storefront, businesses can keep up with fast-paced environments, and offer do-it-yourself and personalized solutions for customers to order and pay as quickly as possible.
At the Panasonic Connect booth #136, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with several solutions, including the new Stingray options:
Stingray® JS988 POS Terminal: A new all-in-one POS terminal with a small footprint and lightweight design so users can effortlessly move the devices and interact with the terminal. Integrated with the latest Intel® processors, the Stingray JS988 is designed to be fast and powerful, ensuring smooth performance for anyone. Easily customizable to fit a wide range of form factors, the modular terminal can also be integrated with choice of peripherals including a camera, customer-facing display, biometric magnetic stripe reader (MSR), and more – all to enhance the purchasing experience to create personalized pathways for all customers.
Stingray® JS9900 Kiosk Series: A new kiosk made with versatility in mind. With flexible mounting options from floor or counter stands to wall mounts and a variety of screen sizes, the kiosks can be configured in over 750 different combinations. To create a truly customizable experience, the modular and durable design will enable stores to place the kiosk anywhere with easily swappable screens and mounts. This also ensures future readiness for any store configuration change while also withstanding busy environments that can be tough on hardware. Designed to be powerful and quick, the kiosk can be used for a variety of solutions through the store for wayfinding, self-ordering, POS, or advertising and displaying dynamic content – pertinent to giving the customer all information needed to enhance their buying experience.
Electronic lockers are surging in popularity. Apartment complexes and more. Amazon is across the 7-Eleven chain. One of the new ideas are custom solar-powered pickup lockers for residential consumers. Porch pirates are just one factor.
We took a look at the space recently. What drove us to do that was identifying out-of-compliance Braille stickers being used in California (see related post on Braille decals)
If you are interested in lockers and customized lockers, email [email protected]
Background
It is no surprise that currently electronic lockers are made in China. In the case regarding Braille, rather than try and contact someone at Amazon or USPS, we instead went down the foodchain. There are US companies which sell and support those to Amazon, and in turn, they buy those lockers from China.
We contacted the origin Chinese point and they were nice enough to relay the information onto Amazon and USPS. They thanked us as did Amazon for bringing it to their attention.
One interesting note is that the main Amazon supplier no longer ships from China. The political complications with the U.S. has changed that, and now shipping is from Vietnam.
Example Deployer smartecarte
3400 locations
53,000 worldwide
Cashless program
Season pass holders
Purchase locker entitlement from POS to ticketing
API communications
Integrate into any park media (barcode, QR code, RFID) or standalone system
Onsite, virtual machine, or remote-hosted secure server
Consumers are now accustomed to the convenience of online shopping and ordering products anytime and anywhere. They have similar expectations in how they receive their packages to best accommodate the varying needs of their lifestyle:
Flexibility: Anytime, Anywhere
Convenience: Don’t want to wait at home or in a line for pickup.
Privacy: Don’t want to share personal information such as their home address.
Security: Peace of mind that their package is safe and secure until they are ready for it.
The USPS Smart Lockers provide recipients of packages with a free, out-of-home alternative to receive
their high-value items in a safe, secure, and convenient way.
The Postal Service has designed a simple process that enables Shippers and Shipping Partners to present
USPS® Smart Lockers (Lockers) as an alternate delivery option for their package recipients. This process allows Shippers to retain complete control over the customer experience they provide, while adding value to their business. Benefits include:
Amazon has an extensive network of pickup locations called Amazon Hub Lockers. These secure, self-serve kiosks provide a convenient solution for customers to collect their Amazon packages. Here are some key facts about Amazon Lockers:
Number of Locations: Amazon has over 41,000 locker locations across the United States, making it easy for customers to retrieve their orders
Coverage: These lockers are present in 900+ cities throughout North America
Recent Installations: In 2021 alone, Amazon added over 1,800 new locker locations
Projected Growth: The company aims to expand its locker program and is projected to reach 60,000 locker sites by 2023
These lockers come in different types, including those with touch screens and barcode scanners, as well as others that require the Amazon Shopping App and Bluetooth activation on your smartphone
They offer various accessibility features, such as talking lockers, high-contrast touchscreen text, and customizable slot preferences
So, whether you’re near a Whole Foods, a 7-Eleven, or another popular location, chances are you’ll find an Amazon Locker nearby
Customize Shopping Experiences with Click and Collect for Increased Customer Loyalty
Have you thought about integrating click and collect into your business but don’t know how to get started? Or maybe you have already integrated some of this retail technology and would like to take it to the next level in responding to customer demands? Either way, taking advantage of all that click and collect has to offer will elevate your omnichannel strategy to meet the latest customer expectations, which promises loyalty in return.
grocery locker – click for full size
Click and collect has significant upside for retailers’ earning and keeping customers when deployed with customer convenience in mind, not to mention the added advantage of being able to strategically use upsells online and in store. Of online shoppers, 47 percent always or often end up buying more products when picking up their orders in-store, according to PYMNT’s 2022 Global Digital Shopping Playbook: U.S. Edition. And while click and collect gained some popularity initially during the pandemic, over 50 percent of online shoppers use click and collect today. Of them, 56 percent use click and collect frequently – 6+ times in the past year and 8.2% of consumers have used BOPIS 20 times or more in the past year, suggesting that it may have become their primary mode of shopping, according to Raydiant research.
Another growing area is RFID and self-checkout though. We spoke with the folks at Fujitsu and they have several new models that resemble the “kitchensink” configuration. You put your items in a basket basically and let them be scanned.
Several customized versions of this are cropping up. Initial origin is South Africa actually. Many companies involved in this sort of automated self-checkout via RFID
“our robots is an open platform that customers can develop and integrated into his own system. Secondly, our robot comes with dynamic ads while working, and customer can easily upload and change ads via phone. Thirdly, we have a robot management app for end user and a remote maintenance and control platform for distributors help with the after sales support.”
For reference the MSRP is around $15K for Pro version. Approximately 700 deployed
We will preface this post with the statement “the kiosk industry is full of nuance”. Someone like Kodak might say “We do more kiosks than them”. Maybe true but then unless you are a major retailer you can never buy one. They may have “built” over 400,000 kiosks but currently only 400 in the field. Which number is more relevant?
This post includes kiosk enclosures, kiosk software, kiosk devices and kiosk services. We then break it down into categories. We also have a list of over 700 companies of all types involved in kiosks. We also cover digital signage companies, automated retail, and thin client technology (aka Cloud). The source for this data is threefold:
For purposes of SLED, “Made in America” is critical and that includes where the steel comes from. “Assembled in the US” is step down. Also NOT using steel but processed plastic (vacuum molded e.g.) is one way to beat the U.S. steel requirement. Problem is you usually end up with a “one trick pony” so to speak. It can’t be modified.
Injection molding is generally reserved for special high-volume projects
Often in datamart research you will see Toshiba, NCR or Diebold — bear in mind that supermarket self-checkouts are NOT kiosks in our mind. And while ATMs could be considered kiosks, they prefer to be only identified and counted as ATMs
Questions and Nuances
Ask how many full-time employees
Ask how large is their facility? Zivelo started out as 100×100 corner of a large metal fabrication company. Saying “our facility” is 200,000 square feet is a conditional truth at best.
How many kiosks have they built in the last 24 months? Built may not be necessarily deployed. They might still be in a warehouse.
Get a list of customers in the last 24 months. Make sure it is current/recent customers.
What is the average value of their kiosks? Maybe $5500? or are they cheap Chinese units being resold that are less than $1000.
What is their minimum “size of deal”? You can buy a completely outfitted Samsung with sofware for $3500 and that is quantity 1
Remember that sales VPs are trained to tell you what you want to hear (no offense intended).
How many kiosks are currently on their monitoring system? Can you see?
What is their “Burst Capacity” per month aka what size production runs can they ramp up to? Usually by hiring lots of temps.
Check out their facility on Google Maps — No matter which company you consider look them up on Google Maps and take a look. Some of them are a bit scary. Before signing on with any kiosk company you should visit their facility. Don’t fall for the data mart research out of India. Companies that have been out of business for 10 years are still listed. Send an email to [email protected] and we offer free and objective advice. We have 30+ years of experience.
Kiosk and Self-Service Trends
Probably the biggest impetus right now is related to AI. Several members of Kiosk Industry have deployed AI advisor solutions including 22Miles, Sitekiosk, Verneek and SapientX.
Along with that has come a new emphasis on voice order and voice navigation.
ADA related — we’re all waiting to see in December what the U.S. Access Board issues as their new guidelines for self-service. Meanwhile screenreaders like JAWS by Vispero or SuperNova by Dolphin are flourishing. Storm Interface and its assistive technology has probably had its best year ever. Later this month the EV guidelines are due too.
Rosendahl – based in Denmark. Longtime participant
TSITouch – carries and resells the Samsung kiosks
Touchsource – directory kiosks
Verifone – bought Zivelo and McDonalds contract
There are many other “kiosk” manufacturers listed in the report.
Calculating the number of kiosks manufactured
One big reason for industry counts being a very wide range is Indian data marts simply scrape data and never interview. You end up double-counting, triple-counting and sometime by factor of four. Here is simplistic example:
The restaurant purchases 50 kiosks from 111
222 actually provides the kiosks to 111
US assembly partner (333) for 444 provides the kiosks to 222
444 tallies its numbers and sales
50 kiosks just turned into 200 or 250.
AI Isn’t Much Help
We have a ChatGPT 3.5.1 account so we asked. Bear in mind ChatGPT data only covers up to 2021. They managed to score 3 out of 10 or 4. You can ask 5 different ways and get five different results. Not reliable given its age or sources. Mostly a regurgitation of $5995 India datamart reports which come out every 6 months. You’ll see Zivelo, NCR, Diebold, Glory, and other out-of-business or fractional participants. Certainly, there are situations like Aloha which NCR owns is going to buy kiosks from NCR. The distinction is NCR doesn’t manufacture them. We asked 5 different ways and get 5 different answers, none of them more than 60% accurate.
Full Listing Excerpt
click for full size — kiosk manufacturers
If interested in a copy of the raw csv/xls please email [email protected]
Bear in mind the raw data (V6 currently) is reserved for companies that support kiosk industry. Companies looking to deploy and/or purchase kiosks can also get a copy.
Data Research Reports
It’s tough getting a good report on kiosks. We like the reports from IHL. Example page from 54 page report on Hospitality POS
Hospitality POS research from IHL
Almost all of the other reports that Google mistakenly highlights (or deliberately highights if skeptical like us) are junk reports.
Example Self-Order Kiosk report we got last week
The following related companies are covered. Not sure how they come to list an equity firm, or currency/coin acceptor manufacturers. They seem to be triggered on vending machines :
NCR
Diebold
Fuji Electric
Hitachi
Crane
GRG Banking
SandenVendo
Lone Star Funds
Sielaff
Azkoyen Group
Bianchi Vending
Here is what they are asking for that junk
Global Restaurant Self-order Kiosk Market Insights, Forecast to 2029
2023-08-24 | Pages: 111 | Tables: 138
USD 4900.00 （Single）
USD 7350.00 （Multi）
USD 9800.00 （Enterprise）
The global Restaurant Self-order Kiosk market is projected to grow from US$ million in 2023 to US$ million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of % during the forecast period. The US & Canada market for Restaurant Self-order Kiosk is est…
BOTTOM LINE — only buy data reports from qualified reputable people. And even then remember that the kiosk and self-service industries are not like grocery store POS systems that are easily counted. It’s a learning curve for all the analysts. We helped/assisted Frost & Sullivan which historically has done their due diligence. Here is report from 2018
In 2024 You can find us in Booth 5536 in the North Building, Here is our portal page.
NRA is our next show (May in Chicago). Visit our NRA page. We’ll be in the Tech Pavilion in booth 6475. If you are interested in a free pass, would like to meet or just reconnecting, drop me an email or call (720-324-1837). We will also be holding Kiosk Association ADA and Accessibility meeting and dinner Sunday night.
Click for full size
At the show and booth we will have around 10+ companies represented. We’ll have tablet kiosks from imageHolders and countertop from Pyramid doing Storm Interface accessibility demo. Also an outdoor capable portable digital signage A-Frame. Pitney Bowes will be in the booth to talk service, installation and monitoring for your self-service devices.
Note from Craig:
We’ll be exhibiting in Chicago May 20th-23rd at the National Restaurant Show and if you are considering attending we can offer you a free customer invite pass as thanks for stopping by in NY. Our booth is in the Tech Pavilion again (6475). If you are interested in a free pass or just reconnecting drop me an email or call (720-324-1837).
We’ll have 10 or so solutions we’ll be demonstrating (we have a larger 10×20). Kiosks, tablets, menu boards, service/installation and accessibility. Information on the show is best viewed on the NRA site here.
Accessibility and Conversational AI Voice assisted self order are featured.
Self-Order with Accessibility by Storm Interface (Pyramid Kiosks)
assistive tech swair storm
Self-order systems are utilizing the AudioPad from Storm Interface. Major users include Mcdonald’s, Southwest Airlines, and Marriott.
Nicky Shaw, the US Managing Director, will be in the KMA booth so stop by and speak with her.
Storm in Mcdonald’s News
Follow Up 10/18 — from Wall Street Journal
The technology will be added to all existing kiosks in company-owned restaurants in California, and 25% of existing kiosks in other U.S. states. [company-owned restaurants]
McDonald’s only operates around 5% of its roughly 14,000 U.S. restaurants, the company said. The rest are run by franchisees.
The company said it would add the new accessibility function to all new kiosks installed in any U.S. restaurant after July 1, including those sold to franchised restaurants.
imageHOLDERS is very well-known in Europe and has opened offices and manufacturing capability in the U.S. Elevating your customers’ digital experience with best-in-class kiosk solutions. imageHOLDERS design and build innovative business solutions, making technology more accessible.
SapientX We Are Building the Next Generation of Conversational AI Voice Assistants and Conversational Avatars
Current voice systems have surprisingly poor accuracy. Our patent pending system is up to 99% accurate!
We speak 40 languages and dialects allowing us to serve 5.5 billion potential users.
Our conversational interface needs no user training, functions with or without the internet and will never sell sensitive user data.
Note that these will demo the self-order app in conjunction with AudioPad accessibility as well.
Too often kiosk service or Point-Of-Sale service, installation, training, and logistics are an afterthought or just another wrap-up detail. For long-running projects it is crucial. For pilots, it is crucial. The kiosk association is happy to introduce Pitney Bowes as one of our Gold sponsors. They will have multiple people at the upcoming National Restaurant Association tradeshow and if you want to meet with them there send a note to [email protected] — if you need a pass we can help too.
Service Delivery Innovation: Smart, strategic support solutions for your clients and technology
By partnering with Service Delivery Innovation by Pitney Bowes, companies can streamline operations, deploy new capabilities, scale, and accelerate growth. Pitney Bowes has the experience, expertise and service infrastructure to help her plan strategically, act quickly and compete effectively.
Real Life Case Study – Complete case study on customer order kiosks’ positive impact on a relatively small retail shop. Most of us like to think in terms of 14,000 kiosks at Mcdonald’s and relegate small businesses to the footnotes. It’s a challenge aggregating tens of thousands of SMBs literally and dealing with an overall number literally 3X the number of Mcdonald’s. This is a small bubble tea shop in Kansas City and they have been killing it with 100-200+ orders a day through their kiosks.
Proudly serving as Chairperson of the KMA Accessibility Committee!
Pete Thompson
A commercially minded engineer who has the ability to communicate confidently at every level and the technical knowledge and organizational skills to ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget.
Pete Thompson
Vice President of Sales | imageHOLDERS | North America Book a meeting with me
M: +1 (778) 222 5694
T: +1 (604) 475 7776
E: [email protected]
W: imageHOLDERS
A: Unit 105 -84 North Bend Street, Coquitlam BC Canada V3K 6H1 LinkedIn
Making the most of the NRA show by Toastab — To help save yourself time during the show, do some research beforehand. You can find the exhibit floor plan here, a complete exhibitor list here, and the schedule here.
Transforming QSR Order Taking with Digital Avatar Agents
Anand Muralidaran — Head – Global Growth Strategy and AI Business Development (Retail, CG and QSR). This post originally published on LinkedIn and reprinted here without change by permission. Be sure and look at the other 25 articles published by Anand.
QSR industry – at the cusp of major transformation
The QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) industry has undergone one of the most transformational phases in the last 3+ years.
Since the onset of COVID, QSRs are experiencing unprecedented growth in digital orders through phone, web, and mobile channels. Most customers receive their orders through food delivery companies or pick them up at the drive-thru window. Average digital order tickets grew by 15-20% during this phase as reported by all major QSR brands in their earnings calls.
Coming out of the pandemic, QSRs are open for business in stores and through digital channels. Customers are starting to use a hybrid of channels to place orders and pick up food between stores and digital channels. Latest results by all QSRs reflect growth in digital revenue combined with same store sales.
QSRs and other service industries like Retail and Hospitality have been supply challenged in getting quality frontline associates. The cost of labor has been on the rise, taking a toll on the QSR’s bottom line. Associates who are ready to work for low wages have challenges communicating with customers and capturing accurate order information.
As history tells us, a melting pot of these challenges and opportunities is the right setup for an industry at the cusp of leapfrogging into transformation.
QSRs are ready for the next big leapfrog.
Enter interactive avatars, conversational AI, LLMs (Large Language Models) and computer vision technologies to stitch and deliver a seamless, accurate and scalable customer experience to handle this huge opportunity ahead.
Avatar 3.0 – rise of digital human agents
Digital kiosk-driven ordering has shown average ticket size growth of 40-50% in some markets through better customer experience, smart menu choices and better recommendations. Customers are freed up from the social pressure of standing in a line and ordering from a human agent or in a drive-thru compared to talking to a live and interactive digital human.
With the advent of technology like avatars, conversational AI platforms, computer vision solutions and recommender systems, QSRs can put these pieces of technology together to produce a seamless experience for engaging customers when taking orders.
At NVIDIA we have developed a reference application called NVIDIA Tokkio, which can be customized by companies to deliver interactive customer experiences. These lifelike avatars can see, perceive, intelligently converse, provide recommendations, and finalize orders through payment processing and send requests to the kitchen for production. Check out the demo video here.
VIDEO
QSR industry operates in a franchise model with very thin margins. It is crucial to enable this solution via Cloud, so franchises need not invest in expensive edge technology. Which is what we did with NVIDIA Tokkio, which is built on NVIDIA Omniverse Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) to enable real-time avatar solutions at-scale.
Digital humans/avatars have come a long way in the past few years in being able to see, talk, add gestures and converse on top of the ever-growing LLMs. ChatGPT showed the world what LLMs can do in processing long, complex statements and requests.
Where else can you imagine processing long, complex statements while taking an order? Remember Tom Hanks in “You Got Mail” mimicking a long, complex Starbucks order?
Icing on top – branding and marketing
Beyond solving some of the operational and CX challenges, QSRs have an option to leverage these avatars for themed and seasonal branding and marketing opportunities.
Imagine a Disney/Pixar movie character avatar interfacing and taking orders. Children love to interact with the characters from their favorite movies and the virality of the experience is a big opportunity for the brand.
The ability to create custom avatars to various themes like sports, movies and current affairs could enormously impact how customers relate to a brand and perceive the experience they get. This would give the branding and marketing functions a leg-up in positioning their brands and value to customers in a completely different light.
In closing
We are on a mission to make this valuable technology-led transformation a reality at leading QSR brands. Along with our strategic partners in the cloud, consulting and technology we are laser focused on giving consumers a paradigm shift in experience.
The ROI for this solution is immediate, huge and has several legs supporting it –
1. Bottomline impact – Optimizing workforce at the store and drive-thru
2. Topline growth – Driving higher average ticket size per transaction
3. CSAT/NPS – Grow customer loyalty via branding/marketing activities
4. Branding – Get the brand identity aligned to this experience and synergize
Sharing a few thoughts on what next for the QSR Order Taking Process. Order capture at a restaurant/drive-thru has been the same for decades, if not centuries. Incremental innovation on order capture via Kiosks and payment methods have happened in the past few years. Given evolutions in technology and challenges in QSR business/operations the time is NOW to transform the order taking process and show customers a fun way to interact, engage and place order! Do read and share your thoughts! NVIDIA#business#technology#restaurant#innovation#QSRs#nra2023#nvidia#ProjectTokkio#Omniverse#Avatar#conversationalai#RIVA#digitalmarketing
Omniverse Audio2Face beta simplifies animation of a 3D character to match any voice-over track, whether you’re animating characters for a game, film, real-time digital assistants, or just for fun. You can use the app for interactive real-time applications or as a traditional facial animation authoring tool. Run the results live or bake them out, it’s up to you.
With NVIDIA’s conversational AI solutions–including NVIDIA Riva for speech AI and NVIDIA NeMo framework for natural language processing–developers can quickly build and deploy cutting-edge applications that deliver high-accuracy and respond in far less than 300 milliseconds, the speed for real-time interactions.
NVIDIA Metropolis enables the end-to-end computer vision (CV) workflow—from model development to deployment—for individual developers, higher education and research, and enterprises. Start with NVIDIA pre-trained models, TAO, and DeepStream to make the end-to-end computer vision AI development process easier.
NVIDIA Merlin™ is an open-source framework for building high-performing recommender systems at scale. It includes libraries, methods, and tools that streamline the building of recommenders by addressing common preprocessing, feature engineering, training, inference, and deploying to production challenges.
As digital signage and kiosks of self-service devices gradually move from indoor lobbies to semi-outdoor and outdoor locations, TDSTOUCH has introduced the 37 series industrial touch displays to meet the needs of a stable 7 day X 24 hour operation in a complex external environment. 37 series industrial displays have the following features:
3MM thick aluminum alloy front panel, anti-collision
front frame conforms to IP65 level protection standard
10 point projection capacitive touch screen
touch cover explosion-proof treatment, hardness up to 7H
anti-interference industrial grade driver board
brightness can be customized
automatic adjustment according to ambient light
both rear mounting hole and VESA hole can be installed
support operating temperature range -10 degrees to 55 degrees
TDS37 series can provide 10.1 inch / 21.5/15.6/17/18.5/19/10.4/15 inch a variety of sizes, according to the customer can choose different application configuration. For more product information, please visit our website or contact our office.
22Miles, a global leader in digital signage wayfinding software and interactive digital solutions, released its Tradeshow AI Assistant: a custom-trained conversational AI tool that streamlines event operations and attendee support via an engaging, user-friendly and responsive chat interface. This solution offers a first-of-its-kind experience, leveraging the 22Miles generative AI solution integrated with the brand’s 3D Wayfinding App and content management capabilities.
Tradeshow organizers spend countless hours and tens of thousands of dollars designing, proofing and printing physical signs. Yet, due to the evolving nature of live events, information is often outdated before the show even begins. Updating onsite can be extremely expensive and time-consuming, and even correct print signage often fails to address attendee questions.
The Tradeshow AI Assistant alleviates this pain. It offers fast, real-time event information and wayfinding that attendees can interact with naturally in any language. Organizers can deploy the Tradeshow AI Assistant on digital signage, websites or within the event app and easily update information throughout the event as needed. For attendees, the Tradeshow AI Assistant supports navigation across large venues, swiftly and accurately recalls event-related information, and ensures reliable, prompt self-service support on demand.
“Tradeshows are inherently complex, so we’re proud to offer our Tradeshow AI Assistant to make the entire experience better for attendees and organizers,” said Joey Zhao, CEO and founder of 22Miles. “Our solution is unique in that it uses natural language processing to understand attendees’ questions, no matter how they’re phrased, and give useful, real-time answers, just like a human information desk representative. By offering our Tradeshow AI Assistant, we look forward to empowering show organizers with comprehensive, time-efficient, cost-effective support.”
The CMS software 22Miles, now based in Atlanta, has announced an interesting distribution partnership with a company that designs and makes analog signs for workplaces – marrying printed material to digital via QR codes and the 22 Miles platform.
ecoPUK manufactures laser-engraved bamboo and acrylic sign panels used to do things like locate meeting rooms and hot desk areas in workplaces, with staff scanning the QR codes on the sides to launch information on smart phones, using a browser or custom native app.
Amid growing customer demands for streamlined enterprise visual communications that prioritize both sustainability and employee experience, says 22 Miles in PR, the partnership between ecoPUK and 22Miles is both natural and timely.
In flexible workspaces, employees need the ability to reserve and locate rooms and hot desks, check into reserved spaces, incorporate remote collaborators into meetings, and access technical support quickly and easily. While always-on digital room signage meets that need, it carries a significant cost in terms of both initial purchase price and energy usage over its three-to-five-year lifespan. ecoPUK offers a sustainable alternative to traditional room signage that can last up to a decade.
Manufactured from sustainable materials such as bamboo or recycled acrylic, ecoPUK panels are laser-engraved with custom branding and a QR code. They are also equipped with an NFC tag. When powered by the 22Miles content management system (CMS), these static panels enable instant access to dynamic experiences on personal mobile devices. With a simple tap or scan, users can access a browser-based or custom native app to: – Check room availability and resources. – Reserve a space. – Send meeting invitations to colleagues, including videoconferencing information for remote participants. – Automatically check in to a reserved space via SSO/AD integration. – Make tech support inquiries in real time.
The roots of this are with a large client that has a Net Zero Carbon Footprint commitment. “This year, 22Miles and ecoPUK installed nearly 500 signs as a proof of concept. The customer swiftly ordered 250 more, expanding the project to encompass both U.S. and EU offices, with potential to incorporate another 6,000 across their global offices. For this project, panels are deployed both outside rooms for space reservations, and inside rooms for digital help guides, videos and instant help desk access. This continuously expanding project demonstrates that ecoPUK panels, powered by the 22Miles CMS, can provide a multifunctional digital experience alongside significant cost and energy savings.”
It’s interesting to see the pendulum for workplace communications swing back, at least in this case, to analog from digital. A LOT of workplaces converted room signs that just said, for example, LINCOLN or ROOSEVELT in print, to digital tablets that provided the name, but also lots of other information pulled from the central room booking system or calendars.
I think it is safe to suggest that marketing signs with QR codes pre-pandemic would have been greeted with giggles, but QR codes finally had their moment when COVID came along … and it helps that scanning QR codes is far easier with phones than it used to be. It also helps that consumers are more accustomed now to NFC, and that contemporary phones widely support that.
It is likely most people would still prefer a digital screen to this set-up, but the 22 Miles-ecoPUK solution would save a larger company a pile in hardware costs, ongoing support and licensing costs, and would not add to energy bills (which are climbing).
The main premise is sustainability, Dave. Yes, we love our tablet partners, but this gives an alternative option for those organizations with the ambition of zero-carbon commitment and long-term energy savings. The solution still provides the same level of interaction, but now it’s triggered by what everyone in this world is familiar with: their phones.
3D Wayfinding Solution with Touchless Digital Signage
22miles wayfinding solution
Royal Hawaiian Center is the premier shopping and entertainment destination in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii. The impressive mall features more than 310,000 square feet along a three-block stretch of Waikiki’s famed Kalakaua Avenue. With more than 100 shops and restaurants serving thousands of locals and tourists daily, an innovative technology solution was required that could empower guests to easily navigate and indulge while giving administrators the power to customize and make changes quickly. With Hawaii’s unpredictable seasonal weather, the solution would also need to hold up to the elements year-round, while providing easy access to engagement statistics.
The well-known shopping center’s recent $115 million dollar renovations included new construction and a visual makeover, and also ushered in the benefits of 22Miles digital signage technology. Mobile friendly contact-less interaction, paired with the company’s internationally known 3D interactive wayfinding, has helped to transform the dynamics of this Waikiki epicenter, providing visitors and residents accessible, safe engagement within a prominent public gathering space for entertainment and culture in Hawaii.
The launch of our 13 touch screen wayfinding kiosks with 22Miles software has created an international array of information at the touch of a finger. Guests can access immediate shopping and dining, have a touchless experience, or get interactive directions via text, offering real time information to thousands on a daily basis. The convenience of that immediate interactive solution for visitor needs is a great benefit to our customers.” – Helene “Sam” Shenkus | VP/Director of Marketing – Royal Hawaiian Center — See Video
The Technology
22Miles 3D Interactive wayfinding with integrated Secure mobile control, was implemented across 13 Waytouch Digital signage screens throughout the massive open-air shopping facility’s grounds. Positioned on multiple floors, near cornerstone retail shops and restaurants adjacent to entry points and hot spots, the digital screens feature a customized modern UI/UX design, with multi-language capability for Japanese, Korean and Mandarin.
22Miles Carry2Mobile also allows users to take the wayfinding kiosk design and wayfinding experience on the go…creating an immersive user journey that both informs and guides in whatever way the individual prefers to interact.
22Miles Wayfinding | Digital Signage Solutions | Secure Mobile Control
The curated user experience of Royal Hawaiian Center begins with 22Miles’ immersive 3D wayfinding experience.
As part of the award-winning PaaS (Protection-as-a-Service) suite initiative, 22Miles also provided Royal Hawaiian with a “Touchless Touch” option, where users can scan a QR code and interact with any of the facility’s four interactive screens on their own mobile device – providing a safer and more hygienic interactive experience.
Powering the shopping and entertainment center’s interactive navigation experience is 22Miles’ content management software, Publisher Pro.AioT. The technology eliminates uncertainty, saves time, and ensures optimum engagement for tourists, employees and local shoppers alike, helping them seamlessly navigate and interact with all facets of the retail and dining haven. The solution allows an endless array of visual communications options as the facility grows, allowing administrators to use the expansive digital signage platform to deliver news, social media, live notifications, emergency alerts, generate revenue from advertisements and infotainment, and take command of distributing any information they choose.
Royal Hawaiian’s immersive user experience includes:
Enhanced 3D Map Views (with 3D Design, Fly Over, Stacked View, Multi-floor destination, 360-degree direction controls, and screen orientation
13 interactive wayfinding Waytouch kiosks with weather-resistant touchscreens
Smart Pathway Algorithm (new-normal or restricted Automatic Destination Routing)
Intelligent built-in wayfinding algorithm that auto-generates directions based on personalized shortest path and ease of accessibility
Dynamic Map Pop Ups (Pop-up descriptions and images, alerts and safety notices)
ADA/Wheelchair Routes
Detour Pathway Rerouting (occupancy control pathways)
Smart Search
Map it Now (Instant display of turn-by-turn directions through SMS, QR Codes, Emails, and Printing)
Wayfinding Analytics (Easily track and monitor navigation searches occupancy and usage data)
Visit the blog for the complete story – From the 22Miles blog
MORE ABOUT 22MILES
Known for their pioneering Wayfinding solutions, 22Miles works with multi-use communities, sports facilities, convention centers, large arenas, and organizations of all sizes and types to create immersive experiential solutions for users, paired with easy-to-learn content management for administrators. To learn more about 22Miles Interactive Wayfinding, Secure Mobile Control, Protection-as-a-Service, or CMS PublisherPro.AioT, explore our website at www.22miles.com
If you are looking for more information you can visit the 22miles site or email [email protected]
22Miles 3D Interactive Wayfinding with Secure Mobile Control was installed and positioned across four kiosks in and around Colony Square. Digital + Innovation Manager Jay Yu speaks about the process of curating the technology to ensure Colony Square’s user experience would live up to the iconic area’s allure. Contact [email protected] for more information. Post on 22Miles Website
With modern art, 5-star cuisine, & top-tier events, Colony Square continues expanding on its reputation as the “Community of the future”
At the corner of 14th and Peachtree Streets in Midtown Atlanta sits Colony Square, the first mixed-use development to rise in the Southeast more than 50 years ago. North American Properties (NAP) acquired Colony Square in 2015 and has since radically reimagined its existence to create “Midtown’s Living Room.” Today, Colony Square is home to a collection of 20-plus service-driven retailers, restaurants and entertainment offerings; nearly one million square feet of Class A office space; a 20,000-square-foot food hall; first-to-state luxury dine-in cinema IPIC; 262 luxury residences; the 466-key Hotel Midtown by Hilton; and 25,000 square feet of outdoor greenspace. The amenity-rich destination also boasts a full-service Concierge and Valet, a dedicated rideshare zone, a helipad and over 200 artful encounters. In addition, Colony Square is positioned to become one of the country’s most technologically advanced mixed-use developments.
“We see guests interacting constantly with our kiosks every day of the week. Since October 2020, we have seen more than 155,400 button clicks and 51,000 visits for wayfinding. Seeing these numbers surpassed our expectations.”
– Jay Yu | Digital + Innovation Manager for North American Properties (NAP)
The Art of Modern Life
Known for its culinary uniqueness, the chef-driven food hall Politan Row features 11 independent food and beverage concepts; a central bar; a fully equipped private event space; a secret, hidden bar; and 22,000 square feet of open-air seating, including The Patio with an outdoor bar, shuffleboards and a reversible stage. The food hall is a major attraction of the area, energized from day to night, weekdays to weekends, fostering a spirit of exploration by connecting people through food. Colony Square hosts over 200 annual community-driven events, too, which keeps The Square lively 24/7.
Several notable companies also occupy offic22Miles 3D Interactive Wayfinding with Secure Mobile Control was installed and positioned across four kiosks in and around Colony Square.e space at Colony Square, including the South regional office headquarters for Whole Foods Market Inc., SnapNurse, WeWork, Bally Sports, the broadcast studios of four major Entercom Atlanta radio stations, and global law firm Jones Day.
With this diverse collection of businesses, arts and entertainment offerings, urban residences and the hotel, navigating and engaging in the rich experiences of Colony Square required a level of modern technology sophistication that would match the iconic area’s allure.
22Miles Wayfinding | Digital Signage Solutions | Secure Mobile Control
BUILDING THE USER EXPERIENCE FOR COLONY SQUARE
The curated user experience of Colony Square begins with 22Miles’ immersive 3D wayfinding experience, powered by the compact computing technology of an intel processor, with digital signage and custom kiosk design by Visual Image. 22 Miles partnered with Meridian Kiosks for the kiosk engineering and build, making the journey a touch, or touchless experience.
Visitors can explore the many dining options, events and businesses of Colony Square using the interactive menus to gather quick information, plan their experience in Midtown’s Living Room, and get instant, arrow-driven turn-by-turn directions to any of the attractions within the robust Midtown community. Residents and others can see updated schedules of happenings, learn about what’s new, and interact with whatever information the community wants to share on the large, digital user screens.
As part of the award-winning PaaS (Protection-as-a-Service) suite initiative, 22Miles also provided Colony Square with a “Touchless Touch” option, where users can simply scan a QR code and interact with any of the facility’s four interactive screens on their own mobile device – providing a safer and more hygienic interactive experience.
At the heart of Colony Square’s interactive navigation experience sits 22Miles’ content management software, Publisher Pro.AioT. The technology eliminates uncertainty, saves time, and ensures optimum engagement for visitors, employees and residents alike, helping them seamlessly navigate and interact with all facets of this dynamic destination. The solution allows an endless array of visual communications options as Colony Square continues to grow, empowering administrators to utilize their digital signage platform to deliver news, social media, live notifications, emergency alerts, advertisements, infotainment, and any other information they choose.
More About 22Miles Technology
Three key solutions make up the Colony Square interactive experience from the moment you enter the perimeter of the community’s massive centralized outdoor atrium.
Featuring Wayfinding Navigation, backend analytics & more
22Miles offers an enhanced platform, simplified for administrators with adaptive technology options for preferred routes, ADA wheelchair adjustments, hoteling map dynamics, and density controlled traffic flows. The wayfinding solution enables all the necessary tools to promote convenience, safety, and agility successfully within any environment for all audiences.
With all its attractions, 22Miles wayfinding brings instant connectivity and easy user navigation to Colony Square’s visitors, tenants, staff, and residents. Engineered for any facility type regardless of size, interactive wayfinding delivers visually dynamic navigation, providing an immersive user experience.
Each of Colony Square’s community spaces, amenities, tenants and surrounding attractions can be viewed and mapped to with turn-by-turn pathway directions displayed on the screen or the user’s mobile device.
The wayfinding experience saves time, fosters exploration and engagement, and features:
Enhanced 3D Map Views (with 3D Design, Fly Over, Stacked View, Multi-floor destination, 360-degree direction controls, and screen orientation
Smart Pathway Algorithm (new-normal or restricted Automatic Destination Routing)
Intelligent built-in wayfinding algorithm that auto-generates directions based on personalized shortest path and ease of accessibility
Dynamic Map Pop Ups (Pop-up descriptions and images, alerts and safety notices)
ADA/Wheelchair Routes
Detour Pathway Rerouting (occupancy control pathways)
Smart Search
Map it Now (Instant display of turn-by-turn directions through SMS, QR Codes, Emails, and Printing)
Wayfinding Analytics (Easily track and monitor navigation searches occupancy and usage data)
Administrators of Colony Square can curate the user experience within the latest version of 22Miles flagship CMS PublisherPro. The expansive interface lets admins:
Create a unified communications experience through a centralized, user friendly, content management solution
Customize whatever information is displayed across Colony Square’s 8 interactive kiosks
Simple administration of advertisements, infotainment, transit information
Enjoy easy access to analytics and back-end data on user experience
Included in 22Miles award winning Protection-as-a-Service suite (PaaS), SMC allows the end-user to have full control of their wayfinding experience at Colony Square in the most safe and hygienic way possible. The user scans a QR code displayed on the screen with their own phone or mobile device. The user is then able to control and interact with the kiosk as their phone screen instantly becomes a mouse pad, allowing the user to scroll, expand menus, pinch and zoom, and navigate every section of the kiosk screen in a completely touch-free way.
Whether used in Airports, Corporate organizations, Colleges, Hospitality, Healthcare, or other markets, remote mobile control can be integrated with any type of wayfinding.
DIGITAL SIGNAGE SOLUTIONS FOR COMMUNITIES, FACILITIES, & ORGANIZATIONS OF ALL TYPES
22MILES’ solutions for interactive wayfinding, digital signage, and visual communications are ideal for modern communities, facilities large and small, agile workspaces, and organizations of any type.
Modern technology, for modern communities…opening the door to limitless user engagement possibilities.
For more information on 22Miles digital signage and interactive wayfinding solutions, or to receive a custom quote for your business, facility, events center, or campus, give us a call at 408-933-3000 or click here to schedule a no-obligation demo
MORE ABOUT 22MILES
Known for their pioneering Wayfinding solutions, 22Miles works with multi-use communities, sports facilities, convention centers, large arenas, and organizations of all sizes and types to create immersive experiential solutions for users, paired with easy-to-learn content management for administrators. To learn more about 22Miles Interactive Wayfinding, Secure Mobile Control, Protection-as-a-Service, or CMS PublisherPro.AioT, explore our website at www.22miles.com
HIMSS 2024 was our first booth at the show and it started as a 10×10 and then went to 10×20, and then finally ended up as a 10×30. Traffic was lighter than expected but we brought in many highly qualified leads looking for patient kiosks and telehealth. Around 200 total which is more than NRF.
Physically the show may be the most taxing of all. If you were older than 35, you “complained” about the very long walks (Freeman service center was more than a mile away e.g.)
The show not only covered patient kiosks, wristbands, and telehealth, but thin client is a big deal at hospitals. Single sign on Imprivata e.g. LG Business had a huge booth showing all types of healthcare computing. Here is the link for very impressive 3D walk thru of their booth.
click for full size – LG HIMSS and “check out” the slick check-in kiosk
PREVIEW
Be sure and visit us at HIMSS 2024 in March. The Kiosk Association’s mission is to inform and educate. Membership is open to all companies. Contact [email protected] — at HIMSS 2024 we will also be offering our Advance Regulatory Guidelines.
Kiosk Association Booth #2189 – Make an Appointment!
Stop by the booth and be scanned so you get our Association guidance doc on what you can expect for regulatory accessibility changes in July by U.S. Access Board.
YourDolphin — See our kiosk bundle for ambulatory & hospital outpatient clinics.
REDYREF Telehealth kiosk solution for“always-on access” to care.
ImageHOLDERS – Experts in digital kiosk solutions in the healthcare sectors.
Kiosk Innovations – will have their brand new patient check-in unit there at booth
Boca Systems, Inc. — BOCA produces thermal printers, known worldwide for their speed, reliability & durability. BOCA’s wristband, badge and label printers, combined with their experience in barcode and RFID encoding, are well-suited for the health technology environment.
At the Show — Our Regulations Change Advance Notice will be available. Our insight and predictions for upcoming accessibility and ADA changes by U.S. Access Board in July.
OTHER MEMBER BOOTHS TO VISIT
LG Electronics – LG Business Solutions offers various form factors of Cloud Devices along with cutting-edge medical-grade monitors that provide excellent image quality to healthcare providers across the globe. LG’s excellence in display products can add value to your work environment with better performance and lower costs.
LG Business kiosks & digital signage & thin client
22Miles – AI-enabled visitor and wayfinding software
For more information contact [email protected] or call Craig at 720-324-1837
MORE BOOTHS
ACF in 2806
Certify 863
Connected 2090
Glory Star 5476
IGEL 4362
Phreesia 6661
RFIdeas 3313
Samsung 2667
VIDEO OF ACCESSIBLE KIOSK CHECK-IN
See At Our Booth 2189
About Kiosk Association
Kiosk Industry will feature patient check-in kiosks & telehealth in our booth 2189. Assistive tech from Storm Interface for tactile navigation on standup and countertop kiosks. Pyramid and Imageholders will provide those kiosk enclosures. See the YourDolphin screen reader + magnifier on an ECS Entropy kiosk. Also the latest telehealth kiosk as deployed by RedyRef. Kiosk Industry and the Kiosk Association is an industry co-op comprised of over fifty companies in self-service and can provide market research and RFP examples. Learn from the experts and join the community. It is free assocation for self-service. Contact [email protected] for more info
From DOT —Exciting Moments at CSUN 2024! As the final day of CSUN 2024 unfolds, we can’t help but reflect on the incredible energy and enthusiasm we’ve experienced over the past two days. It has been an absolute pleasure connecting with so many passionate individuals dedicated to advancing accessibility and inclusion. Our booth #603 has been buzzing with activity, filled with engaging conversations, insightful discussions, and innovative demonstrations. We’ve been thrilled to showcase our latest developments, including the groundbreaking integration between Dot Pad and NVDA, designed to empower computer users with enhanced accessibility features. But the real highlight has been the people – the vibrant community that makes events like CSUN so special. From reconnecting with familiar faces to forging new connections, every interaction has been inspiring and enriching. A huge thank you to everyone who has visited our booth, shared their stories, and contributed to the spirit of collaboration and innovation. Your passion fuels our commitment to creating technology that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As we wrap up CSUN 2024, we invite you to stop by booth #603 one last time to say hello, explore our solutions, and capture some memorable moments together. Let’s continue the conversation beyond the event and work together towards a more accessible and inclusive future. Looking forward to connecting with you all!
tablet kiosk braille
The annual CSUN conference was in Anaheim again this year. Kiosks are on the agenda with a new braille tablet kiosk from DOT and Kiosk Group that will be on display. Exhibitors include Dolphin Computer Access in 418, Dot Incorporation in 603 and of course Platinum Sponsor Supporter Vispero in 503.
Comments
DOT — At CSUN, in collaboration with KG, we will showcase the latest kiosk model to check visitor reactions and explore potential partnerships. And yes, you’re right. Adhering to all regulations including braille labels will be crucial, especially when we make the kiosk accessible to everyone. We will keep that in mind! We’ll keep you informed about the feedback we receive from attendees 🙂
Self Service kiosk machine is the site to find kiosk manufacturers, kiosk software, kiosk devices, remote monitoring and more. We cover POS Point-of-Sale kiosks as well EV charging kiosks and Smart City kiosks. Digital signage software is large part of focus.
Self Service Kiosk Machine Short Story —
Self-Service Kiosk Machine aka Kiosk Industry is the source for opinions, insights, news, and market trends for the self-service kiosk, digital signage kiosk, Point of Sale and more. Learn from experts and join the community. We are a collective “co-op”. We distribute RFPs (average of 10 per month) and we also provide comparison RFPs as templates for other deploying companies to check/compare their RFP composition.
We inform and educate. We do not sell advertising or advertorials and paid content. The sponsors help fund the operation, aggregating leads, RFPs, networking, SEO, research, regulatory involvement and even content. The main markets are anything self-service, digital signage, point-of-sale, smart cities, and EV charging as of 2023. To view the entire network visit industrygroup.org which also shows patient check-in, retail automation, menu boards, telehealth, and others.
We started as the Kiosk Industry Group back in 2014 at the request of kiosk manufacturers and kiosk software. They funded us and we have grown since then. A big thank you to our original super charter Sitekiosk.
We maintain KMA as the source for the kiosk association and regulatory affairs are primary focus.
On Self Service Kiosk Machine we comment and add insight and perspective. We try to be constructive. Sometimes we will call out bad actors.
We network — meet suppliers and vendors
Self Service Kiosk Machine is the marketing site for the KMA Kiosk Association. The Kiosk Association mission is to inform and educate. Our content is not paid for by advertisers. Membership is open to all companies across the world. We are in process of releasing our kiosk market report. If you follow accessibility guidelines and encourage ADA and would like to be recognized, contact us at [email protected]
Questions?
Self-Service Kiosk Machine aka Kiosk Industry Group is published by CAKCEK based in Denver. Multiple contributing and represented writers and individuals are “part of the editorial team” including:
TPGi® Selects RNIB as Exclusive Reseller of JAWS® for Kiosk in the UK
TPGi and RNIB can help organizations provide usable and accessible self-service kiosk experiences and comply with the European Accessibility Act requirements.
CLEARWATER, Fla., March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — TPGi, a Vispero® company and global leader in accessibility software and services, today announced a strategic partnership with RNIB, the UK’s leading sight loss charity, as the exclusive reseller of its award-winning JAWS for Kiosk screen reader software in the United Kingdom. JAWS for Kiosk is an industry-leading screen reader software designed for self-service experiences.
There are over two million people estimated to be living with sight loss in the UK, and this figure is expected to double by 2050. With the increasing use of self-service kiosks in a range of settings, including airports, train stations, restaurants, and shops, solutions to remove barriers for people with sight loss to using kiosks are critical for this growing sector of the population.
This partnership will leverage TPGi’s expertise and bring JAWS for Kiosk, a robust screen reader solution designed specifically for self-service devices, including kiosks, to a wider audience in the UK.
“We are thrilled to have RNIB as a partner to bring JAWS for Kiosk to customers in the UK,” said Matt Ater, VP of Sales at TPGi. “Their deep understanding of accessibility and commitment to inclusion aligns perfectly with our mission to provide accessible solutions for everyone. This partnership offers a powerful solution for businesses seeking to ensure their kiosks are usable by all.”
By implementing JAWS for Kiosk, operators can ensure their technology is accessible to people with visual impairments, complying with legal requirements and promoting social inclusion.
Alison Long, RNIB’s Director of Consumer and Business Services, said: “Touchscreen-based information is all around us. Walk into your nearest supermarket, restaurant, library, or train station, and you will see customers using self-service kiosks to buy products, gain knowledge and travel for work and leisure, but that becomes impossible when you can’t access the display or make payment.
“That’s why at RNIB, we are delighted to be working with TPGi to bring an inclusive customer experience to the UK for blind and partially sighted people.”
RNIB can work with businesses to help foster understanding of the needs of disabled people and to ensure inclusive design and accessibility are embedded across all areas of the business. For more information about how we can help you, see www.rnib.org.uk/business.
The move is particularly timely as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into full effect in June 2025. The EAA mandates that a wide range of products and services, including kiosks, become accessible and usable to people with disabilities.
About TPGi
TPGi®, a Vispero® company, provides digital accessibility software and services to help businesses reduce risk, grow revenue, and improve user experience. With over 20 years of experience and 21 employees actively influencing accessibility standards on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), TPGi offers the most robust knowledge base and accessibility expertise in the industry, as well as award-winning self-service kiosk software. Our tailored approach has enabled 1000+ customers to achieve the best outcomes for their business, their employees, and their consumers. Trust the experts to guide your accessibility journey. For more information, visit www.tpgi.com.
About RNIB
We are the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Every six minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight. RNIB is taking a stand against exclusion, inequality and isolation to create a world without barriers where people with sight loss can lead full lives. A different world where society values blind and partially sighted people not for the disabilities they’ve overcome, but for the people they are.
RNIB. See differently.
Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
Press post by TPGi and Vispero on upcoming HIMSS 2024 Healthcare trade show and places to see them. JAWS Kiosk demos will be featured. The new Split Braille feature in JAWS 2024 gives Braille display users powerful new functionality, including the ability to view content from different locations on the same Braille line using one of several types of views. New features and improvements introduced in ZoomText
Summary Excerpt of Post
HIMSS24 Conference: TPGi and Vispero will attend the 2024 HIMSS Conference in Orlando, FL, from March 11 to 15, showcasing health innovation tech and solutions.
Exhibitions: Over 1,100 healthcare tech companies will present products and solutions that will shape the future of healthcare.
JAWS for Kiosk: Experience JAWS for Kiosk at HIMSS with partners like Storm Interface, Imageholders, PatientWorks, and Pyramid at KMA Booth #2189.
Expert Talks: Meet experts like Don Soucy, Traci Murray, and Michael Marcus to discuss creating inclusive and usable patient experiences.
HIMSS Summary
The Kiosk Association booth is 2189 and you can make an appointment via the HIMSS Planner (many have). Accessibility is the key feature for the demos there and solutions range from patient kiosks for check-in, telemedicine, as well as computing engines, wristband printers and consulting. Other members to visit include:
LG Electronics – LG Business Solutions offers various form factors of Cloud Devices along with cutting-edge medical-grade monitors that provide excellent image quality to healthcare providers across the globe. LG’s excellence in display products can add value to your work environment with better performance and lower costs.
Editors Note — you can meet with Vispero at the upcoming M-Enabling Summit in Arlington, VA in October. The Kiosk Association is a sponsor and exhibitor. Laura and Matt from Vispero will be there. Note that health protocols are strict and exceed CDC requirements for everyone’s safe health. See M-Enabling Summit Arlington in October(Opens in a new browser tab)
Comprehensive Solution Pushes the Bounds for the Future of Inclusive Kiosks
Clearwater, FL – Vispero™, the global leader for assistive technology products for the blind and low vision community, has been selected by McDonald’s to assist in providing customers with an accessible kiosk experience. Vispero’s product, JAWS Kiosk, has been deployed to select McDonald’s US company-owned restaurants, as well as newly deployed kiosks in US franchise locations.
Creating an accessible and usable kiosk experience for McDonald’s customers required an understanding of McDonald’s robust self order kiosk interface and a plan for making the extensive McDonald’s menu easily navigable and intuitive for blind customers.
“The selection of JAWS Kiosk as a solution for McDonald’s is a game-changer for providing equal access in Quick Service Restaurants for blind and low vision customers,” states Matt Ater, Vice President of Corporate Business Development and Software at Vispero. “At Vispero, our goal is to innovate for customers with disabilities. Working with McDonald’s allows us to ensure our products are reaching people when they need it most.”
JAWS Kiosk will allow blind and low vision users the ability to interact with a self-order kiosk by inserting headphones into the headphone jack, located on the navigation pad, which will then navigate the kiosk screen, reading the content as they move through the application.
“McDonald’s prides itself on fostering an inclusive restaurant experience for all,” said Kelsey Hall, Senior Manager of Global Digital Accessibility at McDonald’s. “This inclusive kiosk solution ensures blind and low vision customers can independently order their McDonald’s favorites for themselves, their families, and their friends.”
McDonald’s is in the process of deploying this solution to corporate-owned stores and select franchise locations across the US.
About Vispero
Vispero is the global leader for assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific, TPGi, Enhanced Vision and Optelec, all Vispero brands, have a long history of innovation for customers with accessibility needs. Today our product portfolio is considered one of the most diverse and reliable on the market. For more information, visit www.vispero.com.
All company-owned restaurants to offer screen-reader on their kiosks by 2022
In Brief
Mounting new keypads and headphone jacks to the touch-screen kiosks it introduced in 2015.
Blind users can connect their headphones to the system and browse the digital menu using screen-reader technology and tactile arrow buttons, adding items to their basket by pressing a central button.
The technology will be added to all existing kiosks in company-owned restaurants in California, and 25% of existing kiosks in other U.S. states.
McDonald’s operates 5% of 14,000 U.S. restaurants
Long term (july 2022) new kiosks installed in any restaurants will include the accessibility function
Excerpt
The NFB raised its concerns with McDonald’s in 2019. The organizations worked together to create and test the new system, which employs existing technology developed by TPGi, an accessibility software provider and consulting firm owned by Vispero, and Storm Interface, which develops assistive hardware and trades as Keymat Technology Ltd.
The results of the collaboration are arriving as an increasing number of lawsuits over accessibility are being filed. Between January and June of this year, just over 6,300 suits were filed in federal court alleging violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public spaces and commercial facilities, according to the Chicago-based law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP. The firm expects the number of those suits to exceed 12,000 this year, which would be the most since it began tracking them in 2013.
Additional Information
Assistive Technology for Self-Service Unattended
Several of our sponsors and members are instrumental in ADA, Accessibility and Assistive Technology.
Highlights Assistive Technology for Kiosks and More
KioWare – built-in JAWS support for ready-made browser functionality. Also noTouch KioTouch
Vispero – The world’s leading assistive technology provider for the visually impaired. Did you know Blindness and Low Vision impact over 282 Million people globally? That number is expected to increase by 72% over the next 11 years.
JAWS Kiosk is focused on delivering accessible kiosk solutions whether it’s through the incorporation of Freedom Scientific’s industry-leading screen reading software, JAWS®, or by utilizing TPG’s accessible design and technical implementation services.JAWS Kiosk Software –
TPGi — a subsidiary of Vispero, TPG Interactive (TPGi) is a world-class accessibility solutions provider with a reputation for excellence. We help clients achieve end-to-end accessibility in their digital assets (websites, software applications, mobile applications, documents, etc.), as well as assist in embedding accessibility into their processes and procedures. Whether you are new to accessibility or mature in your accessibility processes, TPGi can assist your organization.
Storm Interface — Storm Interface develops and manufactures responsive human interface devices for use in a wide range of public and industrial applications. The company’s award-winning products are now globally deployed, internationally recognized and widely acclaimed.
Tech For All Consulting — For over 15 years, TFA’s expert teams have been providing consulting services to its clients to ensure the accessibility and usability of their products, websites, mobile apps, kiosks, and services. Tech for All’s Accessibility Compliance and Universal Design Services — Web, Mobile, and Multiplatform Applications — Kiosk and Self-Service Systems — Training — Planning and Strategy
Dolphin Computer Access — Welcome people who are blind and partially sighted into your business by enabling them to fully engage with your self-service points through SuperNova Accessible Kiosks. SuperNova Accessible Kiosks can deliver a range of support—magnification, speech and full screen-reading—without expensive retrofits. SuperNova differentiates itself from other kiosk accessibility software through crystal clear magnification at any level, unrivaled intuitive touchscreen capabilities, 24 changeable color themes and full screen-reading with human-sounding voices. It’s also fully compatible with Storm AudioNav Keypads and the SuperNova API is customizable for your bespoke kiosk projects.
MimoMonitors — Haptic Touchscreens — The first of its kind, this new 10.1” touchscreen leverages the durability, reliability, and quality of the Mimo Vue display and the groundbreaking technology of TanvasTouch to allow users to feel what they see on screen. The result is a multisensory experience that brings touch to life on a new dimension.
Potential Consequences of Inaction
June 16, 2021 — A proposed class of consumers with mobility disabilities has slapped the owner-operators of 139 Wendys franchise restaurants with a suit in Wisconsin federal court, claiming they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by denying disabled customers full and equal access to the eateries.
From TPGi and also PR Newswire — for more information and contact you can always email [email protected] — Also you can hear Matt Ater with McDonalds speak aboutaccessibility at the NRA show May 21st.
CLEARWATER, FL, April 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — TPGi is honored to be recognized by McDonald’s for receiving the 2021 “Living the Values Award”. The Living the Values Award, is given annually to a Global Technology Provider who has demonstrably impacted one or more of McDonald’s values by putting customers first, creating an inclusive environment, operating with integrity, and supporting community efforts overall to be better together.
Vispero™, the global leader for assistive technology products for the blind and low vision community, was selected to assist McDonald’s in providing customers with an accessible kiosk experience. Through Vispero’s TPGi business unit, JAWS Kiosk is being deployed at McDonald’s US company-owned restaurants, as well as newly deployed self-service kiosks in the US franchise locations.
“We are honored to receive this year’s” Living the Values Award” stated Matt Ater, Vice President, Corporate Business Development at Vispero. “McDonald’s is showing that self-service technology can be enabling to all customers, including those with disabilities.”
Kelsey Hall, Senior Product Manager in the Office of Global Digital Accessibility Excellence, commented on the award, “I am pleased to recognize TPGi’s efforts in our mutual goal to improve the customer experience for all McDonald’s visitors.”
Creating inclusive self-service user experiences for all diners is made possible with the help of JAWS Kiosk. JAWS Kiosk allows blind and low vision users the ability to interact with a self-service kiosk by inserting headphones into the headphone jack located on the navigation pad used to interact with the kiosk, reading the content as they move through the menu options.
“We are tremendously excited about our partnership with McDonald’s. The organization’s commitment to building a more inclusive environment for their customers aligns directly with TPGi’s intent to build a more accessible future,” adds Travis Brown, Vice President, Sales, and Marketing at TPGi.
About Vispero
Vispero is the global leader in assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific, TPGi, Enhanced Vision, and Optelec, all Vispero brands, have a long history of innovation for customers with accessibility needs. Our product portfolio is considered one of the most diverse and reliable on the market. For more information, visit www.vispero.com.
About TPGi
TPGi is an accessibility solutions provider that supports all phases of accessibility through best-in-class management software and professional services. We partner with the best-known brands in the world to achieve end-to-end accessibility for their digital assets. Our clients span a variety of industries including retail/eCommerce, software/technology, publishing, banking/finance, healthcare, government, and higher education. TPGi experts are globally recognized for their contributions to accessibility standards and guidelines.
Vispero®, the world’s leading assistive technology provider for the visually impaired, is excited to announce an addition to the Vispero family: JAWS For Kiosk. A collaboration between The Paciello Group (TPG) and the Freedom Scientific brand (owned by Vispero), JAWS For Kiosk is focused on delivering accessible kiosk solutions whether it’s through the incorporation of Freedom Scientific’s industry-leading screen reading software, JAWS®, or by utilizing TPG’s accessible design and technical implementation services. Beginning with the June 2019 release of JAWS, JAWS software will revolutionize self-service kiosk accessibility.
Editors Note — be sure and see the 2024 updates for JAWS For Kiosk
JAWS For Kiosk for Accessibility
“Kiosk accessibility has always been a consideration but is becoming a standard rather than a ‘nice to have.’ In order to meet this growing demand, the kiosk team leverages industry-leading accessibility software from Freedom Scientific, expert consulting capabilities of The Paciello Group, and a strong kiosk industry knowledge base,” explains Matt Ater, Vice President of Business Development at Vispero and a subject matter expert on user experience when developing solutions for people who are blind or have low vision.
JAWS Screen Reader Features
JAWS has been modified in order to meet the specific needs of an accessible kiosk deployment. New kiosk-specific features of JAWS include:
Thinner version of JAWS for closed environments
Locked down features for use in closed environments
Support for Storm Assistive Technology Products (NavPad™, NavBar ™ and AudioNav™)
Multi-language/Multi-voice JAWS support
User session management
Auto start JAWS upon insertion of audio device
Session end is automated upon withdraw of audio input (Auto Stop)
Compatible with kiosk system software
Fully customizable through JAWS scripting
Does not require an internet connection for full functionality
“Storm Interface are proud to be working in cooperation with TPG and JAWS Kiosk”, said Storm’s SEVP Peter Jarvis. “The application of Storm Assistive Technology Products (NavPad™, NavBar™ and AudioNav™), fully supported and integrated within JAWS, will bring a new dimension of accessibility and a powerful contribution to independent living. A truly impressive combination!”
Spearheading this initiative is Laura Boniello Miller, who recently joined Vispero after spending the past six years driving strategic sales for KioWare Kiosk Software where she built partnerships with kiosk hardware manufacturers, kiosk device manufacturers, and kiosk application developers. Laura is a past co-chairperson of the Kiosk Manufacturer’s Association Accessibility working group and an author of multiple articles on the accessible kiosk user experience. According to Miller, “Vispero is committed to the kiosk accessibility space and now brings kiosk experience to these efforts. The kiosk team leverages JAWS software and The Paciello Group’s accessibility expertise to help customers create a complete accessible kiosk solution.”
About Vispero: Vispero is the global leader for assistive technology and accessibility solutions. Freedom Scientific® and The Paciello Group, both Vispero brands, have a long history of innovation for customers with accessibility needs. Freedom Scientific is the leading provider of assistive technology products for those with vision impairments, offering brands such as the market leading screen reader JAWS for Windows and ZoomText screen magnifier. The Paciello Group is an accessibility solutions provider passionately dedicated to helping organizations make their technology equally accessible to all people. Other Vispero brands include Enhanced Vision and Optelec. For more information, visit www.vispero.com.
About TPG team
TPG partners with organizations around the world, to provide them with both strategic and targeted expertise that enables them to realise their accessibility goals. With our partners we believe we can create a positive impact on global accessibility.
JAWS Kiosk Screen Reader Software Recognized by Travel Industry
TPG Interactive accessibility
From TPGi Blog Apr2021 — JAWS Kiosk awarded Judge’s Choice Award (first place) at this year’s TravelAbility Summit Launchpad event held on April 1, 2021.
The JAWS Kiosk screen reader solution earned high praise for criteria such as articulation of a problem and solution, enhancing the travel experience for people with disabilities, the viability of the business model, and value proposition. The day had one goal in mind – improving the travel experience for people with disabilities.
Judges included:
Charles Hammerman, CEO of the Disability Opportunity Fund
Srin Madipalli, former head of Accessibility for Airbnb
Matt Ater, Vice President with Vispero, commented. “The hospitality industry has had a challenging year as a result of COVID-19. As travel resumes and the industry recovers, users with disabilities must have the same access to resume travel services, amenities, and opportunities. JAWS Kiosk and the other products demonstrated in the LaunchPad event take major steps to improve the travel experience for people with disabilities. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts and look forward to making travel industry kiosks accessible for all users.”
Penn State Partners with TPGi® to Make Food Service Kiosks Accessible for Blind and Low-Vision Users
CLEARWATER, Fla., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Penn State has partnered with TPGi®, a Vispero® company and global leader in accessibility software and services, to assist in providing students and faculty with more accessible food service kiosks.
Recognizing that screen readers needed to be implemented into its current kiosk system, Penn State chose the accessibility experts at TPGi and the JAWS® for Kiosk screen reader software after finding that other large-scale food service companies relied on the same solution and because of its compatibility with Penn State’s kiosk hardware.
JAWS is a popular screen reader developed for users with vision loss. Industry-leading and award-winning JAWS for Kiosk is the only screen reader software designed for self-service experiences.
In Penn State’s Accessibility Statement, the University says it is committed through its Policy AD69 to ensuring that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to their nondisabled peers to participate in the University’s programs, benefits, and services, including those delivered through electronic and information technology.
As a part of its mission, Penn State says its “purpose is to bring positive impact to humanity. By opening doors to everyone, creating transformative experiences that few universities can provide, and by making the mission of every Penn Stater to leave the world in a better place than we found it, Penn State stands for doing good around the world.”
“Penn State is committed to accessibility and maintaining high standards for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging,” said Karen Kreger, Penn State assistant vice president for housing and food services. “Partnering with TPGi® and utilizing the JAWS® for Kiosk screen reader software is another way we are working toward making Penn State a more inclusive campus.”
About TPGi
TPGi®, a Vispero® company, provides digital accessibility software and services to help businesses reduce risk, grow revenue, and improve user experience. With over 20 years of experience and 21 employees actively influencing accessibility standards on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), TPGi offers the most robust knowledge base and accessibility expertise in the industry as well as award-winning self-service kiosk software. Our tailored approach has enabled 1000+ customers to achieve the best outcomes for their business, their employees, and their consumers. Trust the experts to guide your accessibility journey. For more information, visit www.tpgi.com.
About Penn State Penn State founded in 1855, is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution and its largest public university. Penn State’s land-grant mission embraces teaching, research, and public service to support the Commonwealth’s citizens, collaborating with industrial, educational, and agricultural partners to create, disseminate, integrate, and apply knowledge that is valuable to society. Penn State’s unique educational model spans 25 campuses, including World Campus, that educate nearly 90,000 students. For example, the Invent Penn State initiative has established innovation hubs in 21 communities across Pennsylvania to fuel entrepreneurship and economic development.
JAWS ADA for Kiosk screen reader available for Android Kiosks
Editors Note — big announcement from Vispero/TPGi on the availability of Android software for ADA assistive (Android screen reader). Android has been lacking a good ADA accessibility solution and no surprise Vispero delivers one first. You can see JAWS for Kiosk at NRF in January at booth 1602.
JAWS for Kiosk screen reader available for Android Kiosks
CLEARWATER, FL, December 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Vispero™, the global leader for assistive technology products for the blind and low-vision community and provider of JAWS®, the world’s most widely used screen reader, announces that JAWS for Kiosk is now available for Android systems. This is the only screen reader specifically designed to support Android kiosks.
JAWS for Kiosk is an award-winning screen reader featuring a self-service text-to-speech audio output that allows blind or low-vision users to perform tasks easily and independently, such as ordering at a quick service restaurant, voting in an election, filling out confidential information at a medical office or interacting with other kiosk or tablet-based applications. Previously available exclusively on Microsoft Windows form factors, JAWS for Kiosk is now compatible with the Android platform, allowing it to be deployed on an even greater number of self-service kiosks systems worldwide.
Leading the Android initiative of JAWS for Kiosk is Traci Murray. Traci joined the Vispero team as Director of Business Development with a focus on JAWS for Kiosk. Her extensive background working with a leading kiosk manufacturer brought a new perspective for customers deploying self-service kiosks.
Murray explains, “Being able to share my experience in the self-service hardware space with clients looking to deploy or expand their kiosk projects brings a whole new level of opportunities to Vispero and users. JAWS for Kiosk software is an integral addition to a kiosk project that makes kiosks accessible and usable for all.”
JAWS for Kiosk works with EloView®, Elo’s mobile device management software, to deploy and securely manage Elo Android-powered touchscreen computers. EloView enables kiosk administrators to package JAWS with their primary application and remotely deploy the solution to kiosks worldwide. This approach allows Elo customers to integrate text-to-speech audio with any kiosk app – whether at a self-order kiosk at your favorite restaurant, a healthcare check-in kiosk, or a ticketing kiosk at an amusement park. [See complete list of Elo Solutions here onsite]
TPGi works with premium kiosk partners to deploy assistive technology in the self-service areas. Working with kiosk manufacturers and software companies, TPGi is pleased to have Elo join our partner program.
“We look forward to working with the Elo team and making self-service experiences accessible for all,” stated Murray.
Features and benefits of JAWS for Kiosk include:
High-quality voices for speech output.
Support for multiple languages.
Auto start and stop with a headphone jack.
Works specifically with Storm assistive technology products, Elo Audio Jack, as well as other alternative input solutions such as touch screens.
A dictionary that administrators can use to customize how JAWS pronounces specific words or abbreviations.
Ability for administrators to assign custom labels and hints to unclearly labeled kiosk application controls.
Android now has ADA accessibility screen reader available by Vispero. Big announcement from Vispero/TPGi on availability of Android software for ADA assistive (Android screen reader). Android has been lacking a good ADA accessibility solution and no surprise Vispero delivers one first. You can see JAWS Kiosk at NRF in January at booth 1602. Here is the updated brochure for 2022.
Vispero and TPGi also have two new great resources to include on their site:
About Vispero
Vispero is the global leader in assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific, TPGi, Enhanced Vision, and Optelec, all Vispero brands, have a long history of innovation for customers with accessibility needs. Our product portfolio is considered one of the most diverse and reliable on the market. For more information, visit www.vispero.com.
About TPGi
TPGi is an accessibility solutions provider that supports all phases of accessibility through best-in-class management software and professional services. We partner with the best-known brands in the world to achieve end-to-end accessibility for their digital assets. Our clients span a variety of industries including retail/eCommerce, software/technology, publishing, banking/finance, healthcare, government, and higher education. TPGi experts are globally recognized for their contributions to accessibility standards and guidelines.
TPGi will demonstrate JAWS for Kiosk at the National Restaurant Association, Booth 6966, on May 20-23, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois. Join us also for a webinar on May 2, 2023 with Matt Ater, Vice President at Vispero, about the process of developing an accessible smart payment experience. From Yahoo Finance 4/25
Award-winning software for self-service devices enables restaurants to increase revenue and improve customer experience.
CLEARWATER, Fla., April 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Vispero™ and TPGi® are pleased to announce that the most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS®, is now available in kiosks and other self-service devices. This software will allow all enterprises, including restaurants, to increase their revenue by capturing the overlooked, underserved market of customers with visual impairments. It empowers users who are blind or have low vision to enjoy increased independence when performing tasks such as ordering at a quick-service restaurant or café.
Award-winning software for self-service devices enables restaurants to increase revenue and improve customer experience
CLEARWATER, Fla., April 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Vispero™ and TPGi® are pleased to announce that the most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS®, is now available in kiosks and other self-service devices. This software will allow all enterprises, including restaurants, to increase their revenue by capturing the overlooked, underserved market of customers with visual impairments. It empowers users who are blind or have low vision to enjoy increased independence when performing tasks such as ordering at a quick-service restaurant or café.
JAWS for Kiosk software is an enterprise-supported screen reader which provides a text-to-speech audio output on self-service kiosks. It can be used with both Microsoft Windows and Android® operating systems. JAWS for Kiosk provides customizable, context-specific instructional messaging to assist users with disabilities and is available in more than 40 languages with a variety of voice options.
This innovative accessibility breakthrough has already been selected by some of the largest companies in the world and is highly scalable. The software has won three industry awards, including a Living the Values Award from one of the largest Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) companies in the world as a Global Technology Provider that puts customers first and creates an inclusive environment.
“We are committed to making the world a more accessible place, and this innovation is an important part of our strategy to do just that,” said Bob Ciminera, CEO of Vispero.
TPGi will demonstrate JAWS for Kiosk at the National Restaurant Association, Booth 6966, on May 20-23, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois.
Join us also for a webinar on May 2, 2023 with Matt Ater, Vice President at Vispero, about the process of developing an accessible smart payment experience.
Vispero is the global leader in assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific, TPGi, Enhanced Vision, and Optelec, all Vispero brands, have a long history of innovation for customers with accessibility needs. Today our product portfolio is considered one of the most diverse and reliable on the market. For more information, visit www.vispero.com.
About TPGi
TPGi provides digital accessibility software and services to help businesses reduce risk, grow revenue, and improve user experience. With over 20 years of experience and 21 employees actively influencing accessibility standards on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), TPGi offers the most robust knowledge base and accessibility expertise in the industry as well as award-winning self-service kiosk software. Our tailored approach has enabled 1000+ customers to achieve the best outcomes for their business, their employees, and their consumers. Trust the experts to guide your accessibility journey.
Tablet Kiosk News release — The first smart tactile graphics display, developed by Dot Inc. and Serviceplan takes home coveted prize.
Dot. Pad. The first smart tactile graphics display, has been awarded Best in Show at the 25th Annual SXSW Innovation Awards during SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. The initiative developed by Dot Inc. in Korea with Serviceplan Innovation and Serviceplan Korea, has won multiple times on the international awards circuit, and the SXSW Innovation Awards represents the pinnacle of awards for technological excellence.
The SXSW Innovation Awards honor the most exciting and innovative creative developments in the digital world and celebrate a huge range of advances and discoveries in the field of technology.
Most people rely on visuals to understand complex topics, however the 285 million blind and visually impaired people worldwide are left out. Tactile books are scarce, expensive, and impractical. Audio descriptions fail to describe complex information.
Dot Pad Tablet Kiosk
The first smart tactile graphics display for the visually impaired. It can display any visual content from any source. At the core of the Dot Pad is the third generation of the innovative Dot actuator technology. While conventional tactile devices use piezoelectricity to power their braille cells, Dot actuators use electromagnetism, which reduces size, weight, power consumption, and price by more than ten times. This dramatically increases usability and portability while making Dot Pad affordable for the majority of the users. It requires intelligence to understand what’s in an image and decide what’s important to the audience.
To create comprehensible tactile content, Dot Pad relies on the innovative Dot Image Processor based on AI. Trained with millions of existing visual and tactile graphics, it can analyse, understand, and segment visual content, and translate it to tactile graphics on the display of 2,400 dots.
There is also a built-in text panel for braille translation. Thanks to a partnership with Apple, Dot Pad integrates seamlessly with iOS and iPadOS, thereby giving users access to the 2.2 million apps on the App Store, out of the box.
Alexander Schill, global chief creative officer, Serviceplan Group commented, “Dot Pad has made a huge impact on the international creative awards circuit, winning at some of the most important festivals including a Grand Prix at Eurobest, a CLIO Grand and Titanium at Cannes Lions. It’s an honour for Dot Pad to be recognised by the SXSW Innovation Festival, which awards the world’s most groundbreaking technological advances. Congratulations to our client Dot Inc and our teams at Serviceplan Korea and Serviceplan Innovation, it’s thanks to them that the Dot Pad has disrupted the field of accessibility technology with tactile graphics and provided an affordable and accessible way for the 285 million blind and visually impaired people globally to use a tactile graphics display.”
Solutions to Increase Employee Productivity and Satisfaction
Report on the factors which serve to engage employees on a positive basis. It would be pretty easy to substitute the word customer instead of employee. Employees are just as valuable as customers in many ways. See the full article and download the whitepaper.
This whitepaper report explores the ever-changing corporate landscape in the following categories:
The Post-Pandemic Office Environment
Challenges Impacting the Modern Office Environment
Communication Across Departments
Organization and Space Management
Company Culture and Employee Wellbeing
Addressing Challenges for 2023 and Beyond
Elevate Your Enterprise With the Latest Technology
Summary
The ever-changing corporate landscape has significantly shifted over the last three years. Employees at every level and industry globally have faced changing work models, significant adjustments to company culture, advancements in workplace technology, and more. What is the driving force for this change? Increased demand for flexibility.
As many employees were forced to adapt to a fully remote work model during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, others were inspired to take on a hybrid or work-from-anywhere model, splitting their time between the office and home. While this shift has brought many benefits, like an increase in work-life balance as well as cost savings on the
everyday commute and office supplies have also brought new challenges to the forefront of the corporate space.
Our research, conducted alongside professionals in a wide variety of industries, serves to assist organizations with best addressing these challenges and adding focus to employee productivity. This helps organizations enhance the overall experience for employees and customers and improve their bottom line. The research outlined in this paper has in turn influenced best-of-breed technology solutions designed to build, expand, and optimize communication and user-engaging channels.
With the latest technology in digital signage for corporate communications, the modern office environment can operate more efficiently. And when corporate leaders are informed on the latest trends impacting their environment, organizations can produce results like never before.
While the modern workplace is loaded with opportunities, it also requires careful evaluation of technology ecosystems to ensure both business success and employee satisfaction. Implementing technologies designed to promote flexibility, collaboration, and visual engagement bring crucial factors like employee well-being and productivity to the forefront of organizational operations. Choosing the right content management software enables businesses to deliver a workplace experience that is just as flexible and adaptable as the employees using them, ultimately eliminating the frustration of fragmentation and elevating the employee experience.
Included in 22Miles award winning 
The main premise is sustainability, Dave. Yes, we love our tablet partners, but this gives an alternative option for those organizations with the ambition of zero-carbon commitment and long-term energy savings. The solution still provides the same level of interaction, but now it’s triggered by what everyone in this world is familiar with: their phones.