Retail Automation is no longer a “pilot program”—it is the 2026 baseline for survival.
We’ve officially moved past the hype of “cool kiosks” into the reality of a converged Automation Stack. From Walmart’s 5,200-store DSL rollout to the rise of hot food robotics (shoutout to Sodexo and ART), the infrastructure is shifting under our feet.
I’ve just published the Ultimate Guide to the 2026 Retail Automation Stack on RetailSystems.org. We dive deep into:
🛠️ The 5-layer tech stack (Edge to Data)
🤖 Robotic Dining & Temperature-Controlled Vending
⚖️ The $100B Shrink Problem vs. Self-Checkout Optimization
♿ ADA & Compliance Mandates for 2026
If you are an OEM, an SMB, or a retail exec, this is your roadmap for the next 24 months.
NEW! Restaurant Technology Guide – Self-order kiosks, drive‑thru and menu board systems, and AI‑driven ordering for quick‑service and fast‑casual restaurants.
Self-Service Technology Statistics – Market size, installed base, growth rates, and consumer behavior stats for self-service kiosks, self-checkout, and unattended retail worldwide.
Services — outlines the full lifecycle of self-service deployments—covering consulting, design, integration, deployment, and managed services—to help organizations successfully plan, launch, and maintain kiosk solutions at scale.
Kiosk Hardware – Directory of kiosk manufacturers, software vendors, AI voice providers, payment devices, printers, and consulting firms across retail, healthcare, QSR, and more.
Kiosk Software – an overview of the software layer that powers self-service—covering kiosk lockdown, device management, content delivery, remote monitoring, and application development across platforms like Windows, Android, and Linux.
Healthcare – Patient check‑in, telehealth, wayfinding, and government-service kiosks with a focus on accessibility, HIPAA, and ADA compliance.
Edge AI – Curated hub that explores how edge AI, computer vision, and conversational interfaces are transforming self-service kiosks by improving performance, privacy, and real-time user interaction across industries.
Directory of Companies – curated industry database of leading kiosk hardware providers, OEMs, and solution partners—offering a centralized resource to explore vendors, capabilities, and technologies across the global self-service ecosystem.
FAQ – What is a kiosk? Comprehensive, experience-driven knowledge base that answers practical questions on planning, deploying, securing, and optimizing self-service kiosks across industries like retail, QSR, and healthcare.
Digital Signage & Menu Boards – Interactive digital signage, menu boards, and vision analytics for retail, transportation, and smart city deployments.
The term “vending” is rapidly becoming an anachronism. What we are witnessing today—driven by advancements in RFID-enabled platforms—is the transition from mechanical dispensing to Intelligent Automated Retail.
Automation
Traditional vending relies on physical constraints: coils, belts, and gravity. RFID strips those limitations away. By treating the kiosk as a “smart cabinet” rather than a dispenser, operators can now house high-value electronics, fragile prescription medications, and fresh meals in the same footprint.
The Data-Driven Advantage For the enterprise, the value isn’t just in the sale; it’s in the Inventory Intelligence. Because RFID tracks the item itself, not just the slot it sits in, “shrink” is virtually eliminated in a secure, self-service environment. You know exactly what was taken, by whom, and at what second. This level of accountability is the “holy grail” for healthcare environments where temperature-controlled compliance for medications is non-negotiable.
The “Phygital” Experience Perhaps the most intriguing evolution is the shift toward “experience-driven” retail. Consider the development of kiosks that allow a customer to purchase a physical gift card and immediately embed a personalized video message. This isn’t just automation; it’s the merging of a physical product with a digital soul—a “phygital” interaction that traditional storefronts struggle to replicate at scale.
The Verdict The infrastructure layer is finally catching up to the vision. RFID is no longer just a tracking tool for the warehouse; it is the transaction engine for the modern storefront. Whether it’s a frozen meal or a designer accessory, the “box” is now agnostic—it’s the intelligence inside that matters.
Temperature-Controlled Automation RFID supports refrigerated and frozen kiosk environments for products such as fresh meals and prescription medications that require monitored storage and controlled access.
High-Value Retail From designer sunglasses to premium electronics accessories, RFID enables secure, automated retail without the overhead of traditional storefront models — while maintaining real-time inventory accuracy and accountability.
Personalized Gift Card Kiosks We’re currently developing a deployment that allows customers to purchase physical gift cards that allow them to record an embedded short, personalized video message post-purchase — combining automation with experience-driven retail.
We are right that the initial “gold rush” phase—where everyone thought they could launch a generic burger brand from a parking lot pod—has definitely cooled off. But the model hasn’t died; it’s just consolidated and matured into something more professional and data-driven.
As of early 2026, the industry has moved away from the “fly-by-night” virtual brand toward more sustainable, integrated models. Here is the current “vetter” perspective on why they are actually still growing:
1. The Numbers Support Growth (Not a Fad)
Despite the headlines about failures like Kitchen United’s original model, the global ghost kitchen market is valued at approximately $83.5 billion in 2026 and is projected to continue growing at nearly 10% annually. In the U.S. alone, the market is expected to hit over $16 billion this year. This isn’t a fading trend; it’s a structural shift in how people eat.
2. From “Pure Virtual” to “Hybrid”
The biggest change is the shift toward Hybrid Models.
The Failure: Independent, delivery-only kitchens in remote industrial areas struggled because they had zero brand presence and were 100% dependent on high-commission apps.
The Success: Existing brick-and-mortar restaurants (like Chili’s with “It’s Just Wings”) are using their existing kitchens to run secondary delivery-only brands. They already pay the rent and labor; the virtual brand is pure incremental profit.
3. The “Host Kitchen” Pivot
We’re seeing a rise in Host Kitchens, where a traditional restaurant with excess capacity “hosts” a proven virtual brand. Instead of a tech startup trying to cook, a professional restaurant cooks a partner’s menu. This reduces the risk for everyone involved and solves the quality control issues that plagued the early “fads.”
4. Integration with Kiosk & Locker Tech
For our focus at The Industry Group, the most relevant growth area is the Pick-up Hub.
Ghost kitchens are moving into “high-street” locations but without dining rooms.
Instead of just delivery drivers, they are installing smart locker banks and automated pickup kiosks.
This allows them to capture “Click-and-Collect” traffic, which avoids the 30% delivery app fees and appeals to the 66% of consumers who prefer self-service.
5. Automation and Robotics
The 2026 outlook shows heavy investment in Kitchen Automation.Because ghost kitchens don’t have to worry about “theatrical” cooking for guests, they are the perfect testing ground for robotic fryers, pizza-making bots, and automated packaging systems. This helps solve the labor shortage that is still hitting the industry hard.
The “Vetter” Takeaway: The “hype” died because the early execution was sloppy. The business model is thriving now because it has been refined by industry veterans who understand that you still need a real brand, high-quality food, and efficient (often automated) logistics to survive.
Since we’ll be at the National Restaurant Show (Booth #5829) soon, we’ll keep an eye out for “Virtual Brand” providers—they’ve mostly pivoted to offering “Turnkey Delivery Concepts” for existing operators rather than selling standalone pods.
How Dark Stores Work
While a traditional warehouse is built for bulk pallet storage, a dark store is laid out like a retail shop to allow workers (or robots) to quickly “pick” individual items for specific customer orders. Once an order is placed online, it is processed in one of two ways:
Home Delivery: A courier picks up the bagged order and delivers it to the customer.
Click-and-Collect: The customer (or a third-party driver) drives to a dedicated pickup window or a smart locker/kiosk outside the dark store to retrieve the items.
Why They Are Growing
Dark stores became a massive trend during and after 2022 due to several factors:
Proximity to Customers: Unlike massive distribution centers located in rural areas, dark stores are often placed in converted retail spaces in the heart of cities. This allows for “ultra-fast” delivery (sometimes under 15–30 minutes).
Operational Efficiency: Because there are no customers to navigate around, the layout can be optimized purely for speed. There is no need for fancy displays, signage, or decorative lighting.
Inventory Accuracy: In a standard store, a customer might pick up a carton of milk and leave it in the cereal aisle, causing inventory errors. In a dark store, inventory is tracked precisely in real-time.
Reduced Labor Costs: There is no need for “front-of-house” staff like cashiers or greeters. Personnel focus entirely on fulfillment.
Dark Stores and Kiosk Technology
In the self-service industry, dark stores often rely on automated pickup kiosks and temperature-controlled lockers. Instead of entering a building, a customer scans a QR code at an outdoor kiosk, and a locker door opens containing their groceries or retail goods. This creates a 24/7 “contactless” retail experience that requires zero human interaction at the point of sale.
Do Dark Stores Sound a Lot like Ghost Kitchens?
Yes —they are essentially two sides of the same coin. If a dark store is the “back-room” version of a grocery store, a ghost kitchen (or cloud kitchen) is the “back-room” version of a restaurant.
Both represent the de-coupling of the retail brand from the physical storefront.
The Shared DNA
Both models thrive on the same three pillars that we’ve been tracking in our research:
Real Estate Arbitrage: Why pay for a high-traffic “Main Street” corner with a dining room or fancy displays when you only need a functional space in a cheaper industrial zone nearby?
Digital-Only Interface: The “storefront” is an app or a website. The physical location is purely for production and fulfillment.
The Logistics Hub: They both rely heavily on the “Last Mile.” For ghost kitchens, it’s DoorDash/UberEats; for dark stores, it’s rapid delivery couriers or smart pickup lockers.
Key Differences in the “Vetter” View
While they feel similar, their operational challenges in the self-service industry differ:
Feature
Dark Store
Ghost Kitchen
Inventory
High SKU count (thousands of items).
Low SKU count (ingredients for specific menus).
Throughput
High volume, “pick and pack” speed is king.
High intensity, “cook and bag” timing is king.
Consumer Tech
Focus on Automated Lockers and QR pickup.
Focus on Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) and courier integration.
Waste Risk
Low (non-perishables and long-dated items).
High (prepared food expires in minutes).
Where They Are Merging
We are starting to see “Hybrid Hubs.” Imagine a single “dark” facility where a consumer can use one app to order a week’s worth of groceries (Dark Store) and a hot lasagna for dinner (Ghost Kitchen), then swing by a single multi-temperature kiosk/locker bank to pick up both at once.
In your work with The Industry Group, this is the “Omnichannel” endgame—where the kiosk becomes the only physical touchpoint between the consumer and a massive, invisible fulfillment engine.
Here are our main topics
Restaurant Technology Guide– Self‑order kiosks, drive‑thru and menu board systems, and AI‑driven ordering for QSR and fast‑casual restaurants.
Self‑Service Technology Statistics – Market size, installed base, growth rates, and consumer behavior stats for kiosks, self‑checkout, and unattended retail worldwide.
Professional Services– Full lifecycle of self‑service deployments, covering consulting, design, integration, rollout, and managed services for large‑scale kiosk programs.
Kiosk Hardware – Directory of kiosk manufacturers, devices, and technology partners, including enclosures, payment devices, printers, AI voice, and more.
Kiosk Software– Overview of kiosk software for lockdown, device management, content delivery, remote monitoring, and app development on Windows, Android, and Linux.
Healthcare – Patient check‑in, telehealth, wayfinding, and government‑service kiosks with a focus on accessibility, HIPAA, and ADA compliance.
Edge AI Computing – How edge AI, computer vision, and conversational interfaces are transforming kiosks with better performance, privacy, and real‑time interaction.
Directory of Companies – Curated database of kiosk hardware providers, OEMs, and solution partners to explore vendors, capabilities, and technologies.
FAQ – Experience‑driven answers on planning, deploying, securing, and optimizing self‑service kiosks across retail, QSR, healthcare, and more.
Digital Signage & Menu Boards – Interactive digital signage, menu boards, and vision analytics for retail, transportation, and smart city deployments.
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For most industries, history is marketing. For the self-service kiosk industry, history is proof.
Long before “digital transformation” became a buzzword, kiosks were already solving real-world problems—reducing friction, extending access, and automating transactions. What is now called AI, edge computing, and unattended retail is simply the next phase of a journey that began decades ago.
Through archived coverage on gokis.net and gokiosk.net, we have documented that journey in real time—creating a continuous record of innovation, experimentation, and deployment across retail, healthcare, banking, and public services.
This is not retrospective storytelling. This is documented prior art.
1990s: Foundations — ATMs, Early Kiosks, and Dial-Up Innovation
The 1990s established the blueprint.
ATMs became the first widely accepted self-service machines
Early kiosks appeared in airports, malls, and government offices
Connectivity was limited, but ambition was not
One of the most telling examples was the Internet Vending Machine (IVM)—a dial-up enabled kiosk concept that allowed users to access online services before broadband was even viable.
At the same time:
IDC began reporting early internet usage statistics
Press releases from the era show vendors experimenting with information access, ticketing, and basic transactions
Kodak developed and marketed its first photo kiosk in 1995, marking the start of its serious retail photo‑kiosk push.
By the 1990s overall, Kodak was rolling out multiple retail kiosk-style solutions (e.g., CREATE‑A‑PRINT in 1988 and then full photo printing kiosks), and since then it has deployed over 100,000 photo kiosks worldwide.
👉 The key takeaways: Even in a dial-up world, the industry was already pushing toward self-directed digital interaction.
Consumers were not used to ATMs or Photo Kiosks and these were the units that actually “trained” the consumers that touching a computer screen was actually useful.
kodak kiosk interface rendering
2000s: Expansion — Internet Kiosks and Commercial Deployment
The 2000s were about scaling.
Connectivity improved. Hardware stabilized. Business models emerged.
Key developments included:
Netkey supporting Linux (2000) — signaling early moves toward open, flexible kiosk platforms
IBM manufacturing FastTake kiosks — enterprise-grade validation of the category
Intel + Mosaic mobile payment initiatives — early signals of integrated digital commerce
This decade saw kiosks move from “interesting concept” to deployed infrastructure:
Ticketing kiosks
Check-in systems
Retail self-service stations
👉 The shift: From experimentation → commercial rollout
2010s: Acceleration — Self-Checkout, Tablets, and UX Focus
It’s never a dull moment in the amusement business, but last week’s Amusement Expo International show in Las Vegas pushed the industry’s excitement into a higher gear.
Attendees at the Las Vegas Convention Center indulged in a barrage of gamification innovations – personalization technologies such as immersive reality, AI holograms and avatars – that augment the customer experience and will find application in other environments, such as retail and hospitality.
Not to mention the integrated payments, data analytics and other management tools that amusement industry pioneers are using to master the expectations of an increasingly tech savvy customer.
KioskIndustry.org walked the show floor with an eye on innovations shaping the customer experience and boosting amusement venue operational efficiency.
Top 5 trends from the trade show floor:
1) Personalization and customer experience continue to evolve
The amusement sector continues to command a leadership role in interactive customer experience innovation. Such progress included location specific mobile apps, mixed reality (VR, AR and digital projection), versatile payments, touchscreens, self-service kiosks and digital signage, much of which reduces wait times and encourages upselling.The InstaVR Arena from DIVR Labs HQ combines free-roaming immersive, multiplayer game play with automated onboarding and unattended operation in an enclosed structure.
The Valo Jump from Valo Motion offers an interactive mixed reality experience that allows players to see themselves inside a projected video game while jumping.
An interactive holographic AI avatar from Lumina becomes an expert on any topic with knowledge base uploads, such as understanding a company’s products, and transforms into a personal assistant familiar with a particular industry’s terminology and procedures.
2) Payment handling technology advances
The amusement sector continues to serve as a bellwether industry for payment handling, with several exhibitors introducing both hardware and software offerings that make payments faster for customers and easier for venues to track and manage.
On the hardware side, American Changer Corp., Pyramid Technologies Inc.,International Currency Technologies and Klopp International Inc. debuted equipment that enables currency recycling, payment processing, currency counting and sorting.
On the software side, Intercard, PayRange, Cantaloupe, Nayax, Semnox Solutions and Service First Processing all showcased systems that deliver reports of cash and credit revenue on demand via mobile or at the location, and/or integrates with other business management functions.
3) Prize and redemption kiosks keep building excitement
Ticket and prize redemption products continued to dominate much of the show floor, with exhibitors raising the excitement bar and allowing customers to maximize play time.
Exhibits displayed redemption terminals offering card charging; customizable designs such as topper brackets for running looping videos, pricing information and promotional offers; ticket redemption concepts including a ticket redemption machine that doubles as a voucher merchandiser; and a combination redemption/lottery ticket machine.
The ICEE Slush Rush IP redemption/merchandiser from Baytek Entertainment allows guests to race against time to fill 50 cups of various sizes and flavors. Players fill cups with the five ICEE flavors, with spills adding to their time as they wait for clean up. By connecting gameplay with food and beverage sales, the single-player ICEE Slush Rush not only entertains guests but also drives incremental sales.
The Tower Ball from Sega Amusements International invites players to hit a red ball launcher to send the ball up the tower, aiming for one of the “win” zones. Players must judge the strength of each launch to target the bonus win zone which can shift with every play.
4) Venue operational enhancement integrates play data with operating metrics
Venue operational enhancement also took center stage as exhibitors continue to develop ways to integrate personalization data with operating metrics.
Operational enhancements included AI and real-time data analytics to manage customer traffic, prioritize tasks, schedule messages (to both customers and staff), identify customer pain points and highlight customer marketing opportunities.
Enhancements included:
Software for family entertainment centers to help operators simplify ticketing, POS, memberships and bookings
Modules for connecting cashless payment with the guest interaction data across games
Modules for managing time based attractions to maximize attraction capacity
An AI powered virtual office offering virtual drop-in meetings
CenterEdge’s cashless payment system integrates with the company’s Advantage Suite, simplifying guest interactions across self-service kiosks and games. From the moment the guest taps to play through their final redemption, each interaction automatically syncs with the system.
The VPOS Touch from Nayax monitors machines in real-time with updated information on all aspects of the business operation including inventory management, cash and credit monitoring, alerts, sales reports and analytics. The system allows operators to manage all of their machines at once by assigning control of machines, physical areas, data or reports to employees or facility managers.
The Time Tracker from Sacoa Cashless System enables operators to manage activities such as trampoline parks, climbing walls, soft play centers and other timed attractions while automating session control and maximizing attraction capacity. A handheld device communicates wirelessly with electronic wristbands to set a timer, which changes the wristband’s color based on remaining play time.
5) Claw machines continue to evolve and expand
Glassfront claw machines, also known as crane machines which are mainstays in family entertainment centers and family restaurants, were omnipresent across the show floor. Claw machines are skill based machines with variable prize payouts, which are oftentimes plush toys or other novelties. Players navigate a joystick to guide a mechanical claw.
Claw machines have become considerably more colorful in recent years, featuring cabinets with acrylic and LED lights, sometimes flashing, and customized marques across the top that feature scrolling marketing messages.
The mechanical claw systems have become more imaginative than the traditional “catch” style claws. In some machines, the user guides the claw to a rotating base of compartments holding packages with small handles on top for the claw to hook.
Like other game machines, claw machines capitalize on popular consumer entertainment brands such as Pokemon, Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Trade show highlights
Following are highlights from the trade show floor in alphabetical order.
AETI Global Ltd.
AETI Global Ltd. Co., a provider of self-service entertainment technology, introduced its Magic Claw Mini machine, a claw machine designed for self service locations like amusement parks and live events.
The steel based machine offers four illuminated player stations for simultaneous play and features a card reader and sound system.
The company also showed several other concepts, including its Magic Phone Case customized phone case dispensing machine to allow users to upload any image they want and print it as the cover for a phone case. The machine creates and dispenses the phone case for various phone models, including iPhones and Samsung phones.
All Star Coin Supply
All Star Coin Supply, a supplier of gaming, ATM and amusement equipment, showcased its redemption terminal featuring a cash or gift card customizable design and real-time cloud service options for monitoring machine activity.
The company also provided information about its Firepot Gaming machines, for which it serves as exclusive U.S. distributor. Firepot Gaming develops land based slots, video bingo games and management software.
All Star Coin Supply also offers 8 Line game machines, amusement machines, ATM machines, bill acceptors, billiards, vending machines, replacement parts, skill redemption games and slot machines.
American Changer Corp.
American Changer Corp., a manufacturer of money handling equipment, introduced its card recycle kiosk, a freestanding kiosk for recycling payment cards featuring a white or black cabinet cover.
The kiosk – 40 inches high by 8 inches wide by 4 inches deep – has a locked front door with a removable box for easy emptying.
A check balance reader can attach at the top of the kiosk to allow customers to check their balances before depositing the card.
A base plate upgrade and a custom decal upgrade are available.
Amusement Connect
Amusement Connect, a provider of a game card system that centralizes data from arcade attractions and redemption, introduced its Paystation Steely XT self-serve kiosk for game card transactions that dispenses and reloads game cards.
The kiosk features a topper bracket for running looping videos, pricing information and promotional offers. The kiosk can be customized with wraps, logos and other design elements.
The kiosk also features the option of adding a second card dispenser and bill acceptor, as well as dual dispensers with up to an 800-card capacity, a dual bill acceptor and a TV mounting bracket.
The kiosk is 69 inches high by 22 inches wide and 12 inches deep, weighing 196 pounds.
The company also introduced its Mobilmech, a device that integrates mobile payment options into existing games using the AMI Play App or Mobile Connect, without altering current payment methods.
Approvely
Approvely, a provider of transaction processing security focused on high risk payments, described its fraud protection technology.
The software combines behavior analytics, velocity monitoring, device intelligence and rule automation to prevent unauthorized transactions and reduce chargebacks.
The platform integrates gateway, tokenization, encryption and settlement technologies to support current and emerging payment methods.
Risk management tools also include behavioral fraud monitoring, pattern based risk scoring, anomaly detection, real-time alerts and proactive dispute prevention.
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., a maker of arcade games, offered a range of attractions headlined by Golden Pirate, an immersive, two-player shooting game featuring dynamic motion based integration.
The company displayed its Looney Tunes Red Zone Rush, which combines the global appeal of the iconic Looney Tunes brand with competitive, ticket-driven game play.
It also highlighted the continued momentum behind its Pac-Man kiddie range, including Pac-Man Kiddie Ride, Pac-Man Whacker and Pac-Man Baller Jr.
Furthering the Pac-Man theme, the company showed its Pac-Man Whack the Ghosties redemption game that puts a spin on the classic whacking machine.
The Pac-Man Whack the Ghosties machine turns the ghosts into physical targets, inviting players to smash their way to a higher score. The tactile experience features neon visuals and sound effects designed to capture the attention of passersby.
Baytek Entertainment
Baytek Entertainment, a manufacturer of game and redemption machines, introduced ticket redemption themes and a ticket redemption machine that doubles as a voucher merchandiser.
The ICEE Slush Rush 1P redemption/merchandiser allows guests to race against time to fill 50 cups of various sizes and flavors. Players fill cups with the five ICEE flavors, with spills adding to their time as they wait for clean up.
The single player model features an optional integrated thermal printer which creates opportunities for promotions. Operators can issue custom vouchers or offers directly to players, encouraging visits to the snack bar or redemption counter for free or discounted ICEE beverages and other products.
By connecting gameplay with food-and-beverage sales, the single-player ICEE Slush Rush not only entertains guests but also drives incremental revenue.
The company also showed the Perfect Pump 1P, a gas station themed redemption machine that invites players to grab the gas handle and try to match the target sale as the digital readout climbs. By releasing the pump at the right time, they win the Perfect Pump Bonus.
Perfect Pump comes in standard, mid-grade and premium play modes, all of which allow players to choose their payout level. The higher the grade, the better the chance to increase winnings.
The company’s Dippin’ Dots Drop redemption machine is a multi-station game that lets up to three players race the clock to catch 50 colorful Dots in rotating ice cream bowls. The more Dots caught, the more tickets won, while a progressive bonus for a perfect game keeps players chasing the ultimate payout.
Cantaloupe Inc.
Cantaloupe Inc., a provider of automated retail technology, displayed its arcade card payment system. Features include:
Support for credit, debit, mobile and play card transactions
Single card batching that saves amusement operators on processing fees
The ability to link up to 50 card readers to a single kiosk hub
Customizable value loading and reward bonuses
Remote card dispensing and value reloading
The ability to link arcades to enable cards to work at multiple locations
The company also presented card readers, including:
The G11 pulse kit to update coin operated machines with cashless payment acceptance
The Engage Pulse, including an all-in-one touchscreen telemeter/card reader pulse interface adapter
The Engage Combo Pulse to equip space constrained machines with cashless acceptance, including an all-in-one touchscreen telemeter/card reader pulse interface adapter
CenterEdge Software
CenterEdge Software, a provider of POS solutions and payment processing for the amusements and entertainment trade, showcased its CenterEdge Play cashless system that connects with the company’s Advantage Suite, simplifying guest interactions across kiosks, games attractions and more.
The cashless solution ties game room and attraction management into a single, streamlined workflow. From the moment the guest taps to play through their final redemption, each interaction syncs automatically.
The company also showed its CenterEdge Advantage Long Term Support, offering features designed to streamline how teams manage events and communicate with guests to expand membership options and strengthen payment security.
The enhanced services allow venues to manage event communications with simplified check-in workflows and communication customization tools.
An Embed waiver link codes directly into event invites and email templates, allowing attendees to attach their existing waivers or complete a new one when accepting an invitation, automatically linking their information to the event.
Chengdu Usingwin Technology Co. Ltd.
Chengdu Usingwin Technology Co. Ltd., a manufacturer of self-service kiosk integration products, displayed its gaming and redemption kiosks.
The wall-mounted redemption machines include a bill acceptor, coin acceptor, thermal printer, QR code scanner and adjustable POS holder.
The floor standing kiosks with bill dispensers include a 23.6-inch touch panel, a barcode/QR code scanner, a money slot, a bill dispenser, a cash dispenser, a cash redemption module, a camera and a lightstrip around the base.
The company’s slot machines are compatible with C/J-shaped curved screens and feature LED ambient lighting, NFC reader, barcode/QR code scanner, QR code scanner and adjustable POS stand.
The gaming machines feature a built-in security lock, a cash recycler, a spectral payout cash recycler and a bill acceptor.
Clear Digital
Clear Digital, a provider of digital signage solutions, demonstrated its interactive digital meal menus that update pricing and highlight specials.
The digital menus include features such as full high resolution, rechargeable 10-plus hour battery powered design, portable mobility and versatile content management,
The company’s digital menus include a tabletop touchscreen display, a tab tall touchscreen digital display, a way interactive digital signage display, a non-interactive display, an Evo Roll Digital A-Frame, an Evo Roll Pro Digital A-Frame, an Evo Tall Digital A-Frame and an Evo Tall Pro Digital A-Frame.
CountR GmbH
CountR GmbH, a manufacturer of payment solutions, introduced its CashIO mycro for all types of cashless transactions, enabling payment processing across a wide range of applications.
The CashIO mycro combines multiple payment and identification technologies in a single device and is available for both wall-mounted and stand-mounted installations.
The machine, powered by LinuxOS, supports ticket redemption/issuing as well as card redemption/charging.
Features include a scanner, an integrated camera, full POS functionality, multi-currency support, remote monitoring, a card reader, ticket-in/ticket-out support for ticket redemption and printing, a receipt printer and cryptocurrency payment.
DIVR Labs HQ
DIVR Labs HQ, a developer and operator of immersive, location-based VR attractions, showcased its InstaVR Arena, which it describes as the first full self-service, free-roam virtual reality attraction, combining immersive, multiplayer game play with automated onboarding and unattended operation in an enclosed structure.
The 30-square-meter footprint with a 16-square-foot play area can serve up to six players at a time, 24 players per hour. Users register and pay to play in the aluminum panel enclosed arena at a self-service kiosk with credit card or RFID payment.
Players get their VR headsets at automated drawers within the enclosure, which is monitored by a security camera mounted on a display screen. An audiovisual screen then guides players into the game.
Inhouse games include Intense Zombie Shooter Last Stand, Caribbean Adventure Party Ship, Spooky Mystery Adventure Haunted Mansion, Kid-Friendly Shooter Insiders, Tactical Co-Op Shooter Aim Assault and Kids Fantasy Adventure Faraway Kingdom.
The arena also features built-in cleaning equipment and a trash can.
ECS
ECS, which stands for Entropy Cabinet Solutions, a provider of gaming, kiosk, server rack and sheet metal products, displayed a ticket redemption kiosk and a combination ticket redemption/lottery ticket dispensing kiosk.
The ticket redemption kiosk offers large-capacity banknote storage space to allow dispensing of multiple denominations. Integrated with gaming machines, players can complete the coin exchange process through scanning after finishing a game.
The kiosk not only replaces manual currency exchange services, but also serves as a simplified ATM, enabling cash withdrawal and bill break functions.
Features include: a 21.5-inch digital screen, a scanner, a bill dispense capacity of four cassettes totaling up to 4,000 notes, a printer, a camera, and an optional bill acceptor, card reader and pin pad.
The Pull-Star kiosk offers a cloud based combination lottery ticket dispensing and redemption kiosk featuring a touchscreen and four-column pull tab dispenser for dispensing tickets. The ticket dispenser has a capacity of up to 1,000 tickets per column and a dispensing speed of up to 15.5 tickets per second.
The Pull-Star also offers a scanner, bill acceptor, bill dispenser and printer.
Embed
Embed, a technology provider for the amusement industry, displayed its enhanced unattended payments offering through its recently announced partnership with Windcave, a global payments platform.
The Windcave platform accepts both unattended cashless and PIN-less payment transactions, featuring a 2.3-inch color screen, a card insert indicator LED and three backlit function buttons. The Windcave platform meets industry compliance certifications to enable secure contact and contactless transactions.
The Embed/Windcave partnership is designed to provide payouts within three business days, competitive processing rates and transparent pricing, according to the company.
GeWeTe GmbH
GeWeTe GmbH, a provider of cash handling technology and a first time AEI exhibitor, introduced its automated ticket redemption and gift card issuing kiosk which allows players to purchase ticket-in/ticket-out tickets to play the coin operated machines.
When cashing out, the player can exchange the ticket for a gift card, while split payments can be processed with a portion of the ticket won going to the gift card and another to another playable ticket-in/ticket-out ticket. Features also include:
Banknote acceptor with a cash box of 500 or 1,000 banknotes/tickets
23.8-inch LCD touch panel with LED frame
Magnetic card dispenser with a 400-card capacity
RFID card system offering personalized access to the service menu by the staff
Thermal printer for receipts and audit reports
Ticket printer to issue barcoded tickets with credit
UPS/battery backup unit
Ticket purchase capability, enabling purchases by cash or cashless, including debit card and Apple and Google Play
PC based technology with options via the service menu, including resetting faults and email notification
Goldfinger
Goldfinger, a manufacturer of touchscreen display monitors, introduced its upgraded LED controller for gaming kiosks and self-service displays. The web app requires no downloads and enables intuitive user interface, live visualization and customized colors, speed and direction.
According to a Goldfiner LinkedIn post, the LED controller can perform channel control, profile management and flash memory functions.
It can also organize lighting configurations and can configure six independent LED channels with real-time visual preview.
It can also store profiles directly on a computer to flash other controllers for instant recall.
The board allows direct control of a monitor’s LED lights to allow adjustments, such as size, brightness, custom colors for branding and more.
Guangzhou Credfort Import & Export Co. Ltd.
Guangzhou Credfort Import & Export Co. Ltd., a manufacturer of industrial equipment, components, tools and toys, displayed the latest version of its four-player Moon Station claw game machine.
Once the player captures one of the toys in the top section, the prize drops down to the catch cabin.
The machine’s customizable design consists of a cabinet with acrylic lights and can be supplied in a wooden carton package with an interior air bubble.
Incredivend
Incredivend, provider of the Skittles Remix Digital Kiosk, presented an M&Ms branded Remix interactive candy machine that lets customers mix and match their own custom blend of Skittles using a touchscreen interface.
Once the customer selects the individual M&Ms brand they wish to mix and pays on the touchscreen, the machine dispenses the M&Ms from the canisters into the horizontal chute where they get mixed before dispensing into a cup for the customer.
Innovative Kiosk Technologies
Innovative Kiosk Technologies introduced its OmniKiosk, a state-of-the-art ticket redemption kiosk powered by SenWIN software, designed for ticket validation and redemption.
The kiosk features Pyramid Technologies’ redemption security that utilizes Phoenix and Reliance thermal printers.
Powered by Windows 10 Pro, the kiosk features a 21.5-inch multitouch LCD screen, a Reliance ticket-in/ticket-out thermal printer, a ScanHome SH-7500 barcode scanner, a cash dispenser, a Platinum bill acceptor and a POS payment terminal card reader.
The company also highlighted its Credit Stream kiosk for remote crediting systems. The agnostic crediting solution allows for a fully self-serviced system that can be used on any game and machine.
Each game features a terminal enclosure that communicates directly with the ticket redemption terminal to manage credits. When credits are added at the ticket redemption terminal, the connection box instantly syncs. After playing, the Sentry printer issues a receipt with a unique QR code. To redeem, the player scans the code at the ticket redemption terminal.
Intercard
Intercard, a provider of cashless payment systems for family entertainment centers and other venues, displayed its newly released Impulse Plus reader that takes more types of payments and allows more upsells.
Part of the company’s iReader series, the Impulse Plus accepts credit card payments in addition to coin payments. The reader features a color touchscreen and can deliver reports of cash and credit card revenues on demand via mobile or at the location, offering greater efficiency than credit card readers that only generate reports at the end of the day.
The Impulse Plus supports cellular and Wi-Fi enabled payments, including QR code payments, and offers enterprise cloud based management and does not require an onsite kiosk or server.
International Currency Technologies (ICT)
International Currency Technologies (ICT), a manufacturer of currency handling equipment, highlighted its TAO series bill acceptor.
The bill acceptors feature:
4-way bill acceptance
New generation verification system
Optimized sensors
Anti-stringing efficiency
Bill-jam-free function
Lockable cashbox
Selectable interfaces such as USB and RS222
Automatic sensor calibration
Flash ROM update software
The company also displayed its A6E/V6E series bill acceptor, featuring auto calibrating and four-way bill insertion.
Klopp International Inc.
Klopp International Inc., a manufacturer and reseller of coin and currency counters, sorters and related supplies, demonstrated its own branded equipment as well as Kisan America Inc. models.
Klopp coin counters process all circulating U.S. coins and five token sizes. Larger tokens can be processed upon request. All models can be factory adjusted to count foreign coins and tokens.
Klopp coin sorters separate up to four different coins or tokens into individual coin boxes. The standard Model SE sorts quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies. Other configurations are available upon request that can process dollars, tokens or non-U.S. coins.
The Kisan Newton Mini is a single pocket currency counter that uses full color imaging with dual contact image sensor scanning to recognize banknotes and to discriminate denominations. The counter will process a stack of mixed bills and give a total dollar amount and total number of bills, and a breakdown of the contents by denomination. The Mini also captures the serial numbers of the bills.
The Kisan Newton-A is a two-pocket currency discriminator that uses full color contact image sensor image scanning to recognize banknotes and to discriminate denominations. The two-pocket design, with a stacker and a reject pocket, allows the Newton-A to count and off-sort without stopping. When counting, suspect banknotes and unrecognizable banknotes automatically divert to the reject pocket, assuring the operator continuous operation.
The company also offers cash recyclers, smart safes, coin crimpers and accessories.
Lumina
Lumina, a provider of interactive AI avatar holograms, introduced one of its AI avatar holograms operated from a touchscreen kiosk.
Host locations can choose from a library of pre-built AI avatars, each with a unique personality and capabilities. Users can also customize avatars to their specific needs.
The holographic avatar can become an expert in any topic with custom knowledge base uploads, such as understanding a company’s products or a personal assistant familiar with a particular industry’s terminology and procedures. The avatar can be trained by uploading documents, manuals and databases.
The system comes with a fully enclosed holographic fan unit, as well as an integrated Bose speaker, optional caster wheels and a self-service tablet kiosk for staff and customers.
Musbox
Musbox, provider of a mobile karaoke kiosk, invited attendees to enjoy the karaoke experience inside its karaoke booth, including recording their own singing in the unit’s microphone.
The 4.59-foot wide by 8.27 feet deep high by 4.04 feet deep kiosk built with a soundproof metal frame also offers an app that lets users share their performances via social media. Features include:
Instant video via QR code
Private sound-proof booth
Studio quality sound
More than 60,000 licensed songs
Built-in air conditioning
Two interior display screens
Two pairs of headphones
Two microphones
Two built-in video cameras
Two seats
Nano
Nano, a manufacturer of cashless technology solutions, demonstrated its self-service Cardmaster V8 kiosk that allows guests to register and buy new membership cards.
Guests can register as members directly at the kiosk and instantly receive an RFID card. They can also top up their cards and complete payment.
The kiosk also allows members to issue multiple sub-cards to children or friends, all linked to and deducted from a single account balance.
The CartMaster V20 Pro version offers multiple price selection buttons to allow selection of pricing options and member discounts.
The company’s TicketMaster V20 allows guests to select ticket types on screen and complete payment via cash or credit card. Members who purchase multi-visit passes can retrieve tickets at the kiosk upon arrival.
Nayax Ltd.
Nayax Ltd., a commerce enablement technology provider, highlighted its VPOS reader that integrates with telemetry, cashless clearance, monitoring, management and business intelligence. The VPOS Touch monitors machines in real time with updated information on all aspects of a business operation including inventory, cash monitoring, alerts, sales reports and analytics.
The reader allows operators to manage all of their machines at once by assigning control of specific machines, areas, data or reports to employees or facility managers. Operators can also save time by performing bulk actions.
The company’s AI enabled Tipago platform offers a cloud-based management system and monetization system for amusement locations that allows venues to replace legacy card systems.
The platform offers players an app that provides a customized experience based on their playing habits and preferences while providing amusement operators with insights about their games, venue and players’ experience.
PAI Powered by Brinks
PAI Powered by Brinks, a provider of cash management solutions for ATMs, highlighted its Vantage Technical Services, a nationwide vaulting program, covering cash loading ATMs, cash forecasting, terminal uptime monitoring and software updates.
The system supports non-bank ATM cycles, aided by technicians trained on Genmega and Hyoung machines.
The company also highlighted its remote machine service, including auto resets, diagnostics, real-time error alerts and balances.
The system’s on-demand pricing control allows operators to control pricing at the ATM based on special events, lottery jackpots and promotional discounts.
PayRange LLC
PayRange LLC, a provider of mobile payment solutions and hardware for automated retail, showcased its BluTap self-pour technology solution that integrates connectivity, age verification and cashless payments.
Users can verify their age using the PayRange age verification service, ensuring every sale is a responsible and compliant transaction. BluTap also features built-in over-consumption controls, ensuring venues and businesses can responsibly sell adult beverages without staff supervision.
The BluTap device installs on tap equipment to enable both cashless payments and age verification. The solution utilizes the connectivity of the user’s phone along with built-in encryption protocols to eliminate the need for network access.
BluTap eliminates the shortcomings of other self-pour technology; no RFID cards, manual ID checks, payment terminals, POS integration or dedicated network connections required.
PayRange also demonstrated KioSoft Technologies cashless payment and IoT solutions, having recently acquired that company.
Pixel Games
Pixel Games, provider of an interactive gaming floor, introduced its newest offering, featuring a tile-based game play that enables limitless game concepts and immersive interactive technology. The floor integrates with a variety of arcade POS debit systems.
Players can locate reservations, create or edit profiles and sync their RFID wristbands. The RFID Pixel cards enable the player to buy game time or game credits and choose their favorite games and play levels.
The company’s ecosystem features unique code names while avatars give players a digital identity within the venue.
The system’s stat tracking leaderboards turn a casual game into a competitive sport by encouraging players to return to improve their rankings. Gamified milestones provide incentives for return visits, increasing a guest’s lifetime value.
The company’s game library includes both single and multiplayer games, encompassing a variety of game types.
Puloon Technology Inc.
Puloon Technology Inc., a provider of banking automation and automatic fare collection technology, showcased banknote dispensers for self-serve kiosks, games and ATMs.
The company’s ECDM (economic cash dispensing module) stainless steel based banknote dispenser for retail kiosks and ATMs offers up to four lockable cash cassettes with 1,800 notes capacity per each and a security reject box for abnormal notes.
Features include: front access; one, two and four denominations available; four notes per second dispensing speed; and roller-to-roller feeding.
The LCDM (low cost cash dispensing module) banknote dispenser series for retail ATM, gaming and self-service kiosks is designed for low cost of ownership.
Features include: front access; one, two and four denominations available; 3.5 notes per second dispensing; and approximately 1,000 new notes capacity.
Pyramid Technologies Inc.
Pyramid Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of payment technology, showcased its Platinum bill acceptor for cash acceptance. Features include:
Anti-stringing: Integrated dual-stage optical and mechanical anti-stringing technology to prevent fraud
Security validation: Utilizes ultraviolet LEDs during operation for superior counterfeit detection
Power and I/O: 12 VDC standard, with optional 24 VDC MDB and 120 VAC configurations
No DIP switches: Configuration and firmware updates are handled easily via a simple USB flash drive or PC
Auto-calibration: Internal sensors ensure the unit never requires manual calibration
Bill capacity: Choose from 150-, 500-, 1000- or 2000-bill cassettes to fit the hardware footprint
Security: A lockable, removable cash box is available
The company also introduced its Sentry Enterprise security solution dashboard that tracks security, cash flow and machine activity in real time. A GPS satellite pings the routing system and sends data to the network.
Rite Touch Distribution
Rite Touch Distribution, a provider of gaming equipment, highlighted its Vortex redemption kiosk and its 43-inch curved capacitive touchscreen gaming cabinet.
The ticket redemption kiosk allows users to redeem prizes with a printed QR code. The kiosk uses Pyramid PHX-SEN02 printers and includes the following features:
Up to six 400 note cassettes
CAT5 Internet cable for optional online features
Removable cash dispensing unit
Optional thermal printer with 3.125-inch paper
Vault with programmable digital combination
Battery backup for uninterrupted operation during power outages
Optional online interface with mobile app for remote controls.
The company’s 43-inch curved capacitive touchscreen monitor gaming kiosk works with Banilla, Aurora, IGS and other games. Features include:
Padded rubber trim around button panel with cup holder and USB charging port
Programmable color changing LED trim lighting
ICT TAO bill acceptor
Pyramid PHX-SEN02 printer
Puck shackle lock on side of money door welded bards for padlocks on the other side and on the board access door
Rear wheels with rear mounted handles for installation and movement
Standard 36/10 Pin Cherry Master 8 liner harness
Roam
Roam, an AI powered virtual office, introduced its virtual drop-in meetings to the amusement trade as a first time AEI exhibitor.
The virtual office, a graphical representation of an office on a computer interface, allows a business to hold a companywide meeting on one screen connected to remote locations. The virtual office presents a view of the people present in the spaces and highlights who is talking to who.
Participants can receive detailed AI notes from the meeting within minutes.
An immersive “all hands theater” allows participants to present ideas in a live environment that mimics a live theater stage with a live audience. The audience can laugh, clap and boo in stereo audio.
A “whisper in audience rows” feature allows participants to talk to one another privately during a presentation.
A “backstage” feature allows presentation teams to coordinate their presentation. It also allows “stage hands” to control the screen, play media and coordinate conversations during presentations.
Roller
Roller, a technology provider for the amusement and attractions trades, discussed its cloud-based software for family entertainment centers to help operators simplify ticketing, POS, memberships, bookings and more.
Features include POS, self-serve kiosks, online ticketing, memberships, party bookings, gift cards, waivers, guest feedback, online food and beverage, inventory control, reporting and analytics, payments, API integrations, access control, capacity management, cashless wallets and printer management.
Sacoa Cashless System
Sacoa Cashless System, a provider of revenue management solutions for the amusement industry, showcased its Time Tracker solution designed to simplify the management of time-based attractions. The Time Tracker enables operators to manage activities such as trampoline parks, climbing walls, soft play centers and other timed attractions while automating session control and maximizing attraction capacity.
The handheld device communicates with electronic wristbands to set a timer within the wristbands, which change color based on remaining play time.
The device transmits data wirelessly and can configure time checkpoints based on time status and color – green for active, yellow for almost up and red for expired.
The company also displayed its redemption and prize management solutions, along with the expansion of real-time telemetry through KwikPay, which allows users to scan a QR code with a mobile device to pay for and activate machines.
Sega Amusements International
Sega Amusements International, a manufacturer of amusement arcade games and merchandise, entertained attendees with its new Tower Ball skill-based redemption game featuring edge lighting.
Players hit a red ball launcher to send the ball up the tower, aiming for one of the win zones. Players must judge the strength of each launch to target the bonus win zone and maximize their ticket payout.
Players are able to win tickets with every play, but the bonus win zone can shift dynamically with every play.
The game is 117 inches high by 33 inches wide and 55 inches deep, weighing 511 pounds.
Semnox Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Semnox Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a technology solutions provider for the amusement trade, demonstrated its Parafait suite of solutions for automating and streamlining all aspects of the customer journey for family entertainment centers, amusement parks, food courts and restaurants.
Solutions for FECs include POS, self-service kiosks, RFID cards and wristbands, mobile POS, customer relations management, online booking, party bookings, slot based bookings and waiver management.
Solutions for theme and water parks include readers for ride based control, digital signage, online ticketing, ticketing kiosks, RFID lockers, cashless management, food and beverage sales, entry ticketing, centralized purchasing, retail sales and inventory management.
The company’s Deliko modules for restaurant management include cashless prepaid card management, promotions management, employee time management, contactless ordering, table management, guest experience, kitchen display system, and individual outlet reporting.
Service First Processing
Service First Processing, a provider of automated payment systems, offered information about its automated accounts payable, automated accounts receivable, digital payments and other payment related services.
The company highlighted its dual pricing program designed to reduce credit card fees while giving customers more flexible payment options. Customers are given the choice of paying with cash or card. The merchant displays the two prices, with the card price reflecting the cost of the acceptance. The adjusted card price helps offset the processing costs.
The company also noted that Visa will increase its business card interchange rate for small businesses this year, but not its corporate or purchasing cards. Service First Processing has stated that it will review how Visa changes affect customer transaction mix and identify pricing and program options to reduce the overall cost.
TouchMagix
TouchMagix, a manufacturer of immersive games, introduced its “Boxed Up!” skill based game to win prizes. Players try to line the mini forklifts to the towers to retrieve boxed prizes. The player presses a button to stop the tower from rotating to allow the mini forklift to move into position to scoop the boxed prize from its compartment. The forklift then moves the prize to the delivery chute to allow the player to receive it.
The machine, 63 inches wide by 48 inches deep and 93 inches high, features two player positions and showcases 160 prizes of varying sizes.
The company also presented its recently introduced Pickleball Toss where users toss the pickleballs into a lit hole to win a prize ticket.
TouchTunes
TouchTunes introduced its still-to-be-named flagship jukebox, bringing together music, darts, mobile and payments into one connected experience for venues and players.
The new jukebox features a 43-inch vertical display that creates a large digital canvas that captures attention, while customizable immersive lighting and screen themes allow venues to match the look and mood of their space.
Powered by AI-driven software, the experience reveals a cinematic wall of music that enhances discovery alongside support for a contactless tap-to-pay interface that drives revenue.
New app features allow patrons to express their musical identity and connect with others. Fans can react to songs, share their music taste, and send app credits to friends directly from their phone. These capabilities lay the foundation for future social features that can extend across both the mobile app and the jukebox, including leaderboards, on-screen recognition and song battles where players go head-to-head to select the next track.
The jukebox is designed to combine music discovery with social engagement, such as integrated social feeds and leaderboards that spotlight players while inviting others to join.
Triotech
Triotech, a manufacturer of multimedia attractions for family entertainment centers, introduced its Typhoon Shockwave, a 40-square-foot, coin-operated, motion picture simulator ride featuring 10 action movies that allows two people to sit side by side in dual seats.
Typhoon Shockwave offers a 50-square-foot immersive attraction game for competitive or shared play, featuring wind effects and a screen that’s four and a half times larger than the original Typhoon game. The game delivers movement and cinematic visuals across films such as Insanity Run, Jurassic Jungle, Monster Trucks, Lost Temple, Candy Rush and Arctic Adventure.
Valo Motion
Valo Motion, a provider of mixed reality attractions, displayed its range of unattended play environments that require no headsets and minimal onsite staff.
The Valo Arena is a free-roam playground for up to four or six players that combines video games with full body movement, designed for kids four years old and up, along with parents and friends.
The company’s Valo Jump offers an interactive mixed reality experience that allows players to see themselves on the screen inside the video game while jumping. Two players can play the same game together on separate trampolines or air tracks.
The Valo Climb combines motion tracking and projected graphics to transform an ordinary bouldering wall into an active video game, accommodating up to four players simultaneously.
The Valo Park is designed for shopping malls, offering a fun court where families can play.
Media Gallery
Elliott Campbell introduces the Magic Claw Mini machine at the AETI Global Ltd. exhibit.
Kirk Garrett explains the All Star redemption terminal at the All Star Coin Supply exhibit.
Wayne Shihur introduces the card recycling kiosk at the American Changer Corp. exhibit.
Tom Jayroe introduces the Paystation Steely XT self serve kiosk at the Amusement Connect exhibit.
Justin Schoenfelder describes fraud protection technology at the Approvely exhibit.
Steve Ignarski highlights the Pac-Man Whack the Ghosties redemption game at the Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. exhibit.
Attendees play the ICEE redemption machine that doubles as a voucher merchandiser at the Baytek Entertainment exhibit.
Tony Danna presents the Cantaloupe arcade payment system.
Merrik Keller and John Keys introduce attendees to the CenterEdge Play cashless system.
Catherine Zhang shows gaming and redemption kiosks at the Chengdu Usingwin Technology Co. Ltd. exhibit.
Bruce Eisenbrown discusses interactive digital menus at the Clear Digital exhibit.
Julian Gordon introduces the CashIO mycro self service solution at the CountR exhibit.
David Torres shows the InstaVR Arena at the DIVR Labs HQ exhibit.
Andy Yeh shows the Pull-Star combination redemption/lottery ticket dispensing kiosk at the ECS exhibit.
Jeremy Dickamore displays a gaming card issuing kiosk that accepts cashless payments at the Embed exhibit.
Francois Remy presents the automated ticket redemption and gift card issuing kiosk at the GeWeTe GmbH exhibit.
Evan DeVine and Brennan Sheehan discuss the LED controller at the Goldfinger exhibit.
Italo Amaral shows bill acceptors at the International Currency Technologies (ITC) exhibit.
Howard Rubin presents the M&Ms branded Remix machine at the Incredivend exhibit.
Justin Michaels demonstrates the Impulse Plus payment reader at the Intercard exhibit.
Emily Cole and Corbin Climer show the OmniKiosk at the Innovative Kiosk Technologies exhibit.
An attendee plays the Moon Station claw machine at the Guangzhou Credfort Import & Export Co. Ltd. exhibit.
John Oder discusses coin and currency handling equipment at the Klopp International Inc. exhibit.
Henry Lober introduces interactive AI avatar holograms at the Lumina exhibit.
Mark Brut invites attendees to enter the mobile karaoke kiosk at the Musbox exhibit
Rainbow Lei showcases the Cardmaster V8 kiosk that allows guests to register and buy new membership cards at the Nano exhibit.
Paul Drutch highlights the VPOS reader at the Nayax Ltd. exhibit.
Brian Haynes displays PAI Powered by Brinks’ Vantage Technical Services for ATMs.
Sarah White shows the BluTap self-pour technology at the PayRange LLC exhibit.
Nathan Hawthorne introduces the interactive gaming floor at the Pixel Games exhibit.
Serene Kim and Woohyun Park demonstrate banknote dispensing equipment at the Puloon Technology Inc. exhibit.
Jonathan Durst highlights the Platinum bill acceptor at the Pyramid Technologies Inc. exhibit.
Ryan Ribeau shows the Vortex redemption kiosk and its 43-inch curved capacitive touchscreen gaming cabinet at the Rite Touch Distribution exhibit.
Ryan Kowalczuk introduces the AI powered virtual office at the Roam exhibit.
Jazmin Rains, Jerome Miles and Roderick Ram present cloud based amusement software at the Roller exhibit.
Gustavo Viloria describes the Time Tracker at the Sacoa Cashless System exhibit.
Showcasing the Parafait solutions at the Semnox Solutions Pvt. Ltd. are Bepin Jose, Uche Ehiem, Geo Thomas, Lisa Scott, Jason Reinblatt and Drew Parow.
Ashley Wright offers information on automated payment services at the Service First Processing exhibit.
Anup Tapadia introduces the “Boxed Up!” skill based game at the TouchMagix exhibit.
Cameron Fleming introduces the new, still-to-be named, flagship jukebox at the TouchTunes exhibit.
Triotech introduced its Typhoon Shockwave, expanding on its Typhoon motion simulator ride featuring dual seats.
Marrisa Garris and Marisa Kiela introduce the Valo Motion mixed reality experiences.
Ryla Lambert invites attendees to play the Tower Ball game at the Sega Amusements International exhibit.
Why keeping cash in the mix still matters for consumers, small merchants, and the self‑service systems that serve them
Scroll through the headlines and you’d think cash is already dead. Between mobile wallets, tap‑to‑pay cards, QR codes and “no‑cash” lanes, it’s easy to forget that simple paper money is still doing a lot of work in the background of the U.S. economy. For anyone who cares about payments, consumer choice and financial inclusion, cash is not nostalgia—it’s infrastructure.
Cash use is down, but not gone
The Federal Reserve’s latest Diary of Consumer Payment Choice shows that in 2024, cash accounted for about 14% of all U.S. consumer payments by number. Consumers made an average of 48 payments per month, of which seven were with cash—a level that has been essentially flat since 2020. In 2023, cash’s share was 16% and it was still the third‑most‑used payment method after credit and debit cards.
Zoom in on small‑ticket transactions and cash looks even more relevant. For purchases under about 10 dollars, roughly half of payments still happen in cash because it’s faster and often easier than pulling out a card or phone. And despite the hype about going fully cashless, almost 90% of consumers used cash at least once in a 30‑day period in recent Fed surveys.
Who relies on cash the most?
Cash isn’t evenly distributed across the population—it’s doing the heaviest lifting for people with the fewest alternatives. Lower‑income households use cash for a much larger share of their everyday transactions and bill payments than higher‑income households, in part because they have less access to credit and sometimes even to traditional bank accounts. Adults in the lowest income brackets use cash for around 16% of their bill payments, roughly matching checks and exceeding the cash use of all higher‑income groups combined.
Age matters too. Consumers 55 and older rely on cash for about 22% of their payments, roughly one‑and‑a‑half times the rate of younger adults. At the same time, people across age groups keep more cash on hand than before the pandemic—on‑person and “store‑of‑value” holdings remain elevated because cash is still the go‑to backup when things feel uncertain.
Why the payments industry should care
For the payments industry, it’s tempting to view cash as competition to be displaced. But cash plays several critical roles that digital systems still struggle to replicate:
Offline resilience: Cash works when networks are down, terminals fail, or disasters take out power and connectivity.
Instant, final settlement: A cash sale clears on the spot with no chargebacks, reversals or third‑party failures.
Zero marginal fees: For small merchants, there is no per‑transaction interchange hit on cash, which matters when margins are razor thin.
Privacy and autonomy: Some consumers deliberately choose cash to avoid data trails on sensitive purchases or just to better control their budgets.
The Fed’s own research frames cash as a “back‑up” payment instrument that consumers expect to remain available; many say they carry cash even if they don’t use it often, precisely because they want that option.
The policy backdrop: “must accept cash” and swipe‑fee fights
That’s why debates over cash acceptance and card fee rules are not just inside‑baseball for lobbyists. Several states, including Colorado, have moved to require most retail establishments to accept cash so that people who depend on it aren’t turned away at the counter. At the same time, legislators are pushing back on credit‑card “swipe fees” being charged on the sales‑tax portion of a purchase, arguing that merchants shouldn’t pay card fees on money they’re merely collecting for the government.
This is where VISA/MC charge fee based on total transaction, including taxes we pay. Nice work if you can get it?
Financial institutions and card networks are fighting some of these changes hard, warning about complexity and unintended consequences in digital payments, while small‑business advocates and merchant groups argue that controlling fees and preserving cash acceptance is essential to keep costs down and options open.
A “cash‑inclusive” future, not a cashless one
If you work in payments—whether that’s card acquiring, POS, kiosks, or digital wallets—the most realistic future is not cashless; it’s cash‑inclusive. The data show a slow shift toward cards and digital options, but also a stubborn, stable base of cash use that hasn’t gone away even after a pandemic‑driven digital acceleration.
Designing systems, policies and fee structures that respect that reality is both good business and good public policy. Consumers are telling us they want choice: tap‑to‑pay when it’s convenient, cash when it’s safer, simpler or the only option that actually works for them.
Numbers Are Good
cash usage global
Addendum — What is Going On In Colorado?
Colorado already has a law saying most retail businesses must accept cash, and the current big dust‑up in ads is actually about credit/debit card “swipe fee” legislation, not banning cash itself.
Existing “must accept cash” law
Since 2021, Colorado law requires retail establishments that offer goods or services to accept U.S. currency for purchases.
Exceptions include: fully automated businesses with no person taking payment, places that offer a free cash‑to‑card kiosk, certain security‑deposit transactions, and banks/credit unions.
A violation is a petty offense (fine up to $250), so on paper Colorado is one of the stricter “you must take cash” states.
In 2022, enforcement and definitions around this requirement were clarified and the attorney general was given authority to bring actions to enforce it.
What’s happening now: swipe‑fee bill (SB26‑134)
The current flashpoint is Senate Bill 26‑134 in the 2026 session, which targets payment card network fees on the sales‑tax portion of a transaction.
The bill would prohibit credit/debit card networks from charging interchange fees as a percentage of the full amount when that amount includes taxes, and from raising fees on the non‑tax portion to get around the rule.
It exempts smaller card issuers (under about $60 billion in assets) and lets merchants or consumers sue networks that violate the rules.
Supporters pitch this as “stop charging swipe fees on taxes” so small businesses aren’t paying card fees on money that just goes to the government.
Why the ads sound so strange
Banking and business groups argue SB26‑134 is really a mandate on how private payment networks price transactions, and that big national retailers would capture most of the savings.
Critics warn it could force technical workarounds (e.g., splitting tax from the main transaction) that make cards less convenient, increase other fees, or shift costs back onto smaller banks and credit unions.
That gives us the weird ad language: some spots frame it as “politicians messing with your credit cards” or “helping mega‑chains,” while others frame it as “standing up to junk fees” and “helping small business.”
None of this repeals the requirement that most retail establishments accept cash; that law is already on the books and still in force.
Separate but related: lottery and credit cards
There’s also a 2026 bill (SB 117) reacting to Colorado Lottery rules that would allow buying lottery products with credit cards.
Legislators sponsoring SB 117 want to keep lottery purchases limited to cash or debit only, arguing it’s irresponsible to let people use credit for gambling when costs of living are high.
who is financing the ads against
Most of the organized opposition (and likely a big share of the ad money) is coming from banks, credit‑card networks, and their aligned trade groups, plus some business organizations that have sided with them.
Main groups behind the opposition
Banking and credit‑card interests (large banks and issuers, card networks) are the core organized opponents, because interchange (“swipe”) fees are a major revenue source and they oppose state‑level limits on how fees are applied.
Trade associations tied to financial services and electronic payments are running “protect digital payments/keep transactions simple” style campaigns; for example, the Electronic Transactions Association has been promoting “oppose SB 26‑134” content that looks and sounds like small‑business ads.
Some chambers of commerce and business groups, including the Denver Metro Chamber and others, have testified or published pieces against the bill, arguing it interferes with private contracts and will ultimately hurt small businesses even if big‑box retailers benefit.
How that shows up in ads
Because direct “paid for by Visa/Mastercard/big banks” messaging is politically unpopular, a lot of the creative is branded as speaking for “small businesses” or “local jobs” even though the policy position matches what the banks and card networks want.
At the same time, there is a pro‑bill campaign funded by small‑business advocates like NFIB Colorado and some restaurant and retailer associations, so we may be seeing dueling spots that both claim to represent Main Street while taking opposite sides.
“The less customers feel the payment, the more they spend.” One of our principles of ROI is keep TTT (Time to Transaction) at the top of priority metrics. Customers dwelling over payment stage are not good.
Frictionless payments are no longer just a convenience feature—they are a primary driver of consumer behavior and revenue growth. New research from NMI confirms what many in self-service and unattended retail have been seeing in the field: when you remove effort, hesitation, and visibility from the payment process, consumers don’t just complete transactions faster—they spend more, buy more often, and think less about the transaction itself. In effect, payments have evolved from a necessary step in commerce into a behavioral lever that directly influences basket size, frequency, and brand loyalty.
Excerpt – Frictionless payments are rewiring consumer spending habits, according to new research from NMI®, a global leader in embedded payments infrastructure. In its “Psychology of Payments” survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, half (50%) say they shop more frequently when payments feel seamless, while an equal share (50%) admit they abandon carts when the checkout process feels complicated or frustrating.
Key Takeaways
1. Frictionless = Increased Spend
Nearly half of consumers shop more frequently when payments are seamless
Over a quarter admit to spending more than intended 👉 Less effort directly correlates to higher revenue
2. Digital Payments Reduce “Pain of Paying”
About 50% say digital payments feel less “real” than cash 👉 This weakens spending resistance and increases impulse purchasing
3. Convenience is the #1 Driver
The overwhelming majority choose payment methods based on ease and speed 👉 Payment speed is now more important than payment type
4. Friction Creates Immediate Revenue Loss
Nearly half of consumers abandon purchases due to checkout issues 👉 Every extra step = measurable conversion loss
5. Younger Consumers Set the Standard
Gen Z and Millennials:
Spend more with frictionless systems
Expect embedded / in-app payments
Switch brands quickly if experience is poor 👉 Future demand = invisible, instant transactions
6. Invisible Payments Are the End State
In-app, auto-pay, biometric, and walk-out models are preferred 👉 The best payment experience is one the user barely notices
7. Direct Impact on Self-Service & Kiosks
Consumers want self-service—but only if it’s fast and seamless 👉 Poor kiosk payment = adoption failure 👉 Optimized kiosk = revenue multiplier
8. Payments Are Now a Strategic Lever
Not just infrastructure or compliance
Directly tied to:
Average order value
Visit frequency
Customer retention 👉 Payments belong in revenue strategy discussions, not just IT
Strategic takeaway: Europe isn’t dumping Visa and Mastercard—it’s quietly rewiring the plumbing so that, by the end of this decade, US card schemes become optional rather than existential for its domestic payments. Euronews
Question: did Europe just turn their back on VISA and Mastercard
Answer:
Not entirely, but the “breakup” has officially started. As of March 2026, Europe is making its most aggressive move in decades to end its 95% dependence on U.S. payment infrastructure.
It’s less of a sudden “turning of the back” and more of a massive, coordinated “eviction notice” through three major projects:
1. The Wero Wallet (The Practical Alternative)
The European Payments Initiative (EPI), a consortium of 16 major banks (including Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas), has hit critical mass.
The Milestone: As of February 2026, Wero has 48.5 million users across Germany, France, and Belgium.
The Move: In the last few weeks, a landmark deal was signed to merge Wero with other national systems like Spain’s Bizum and Italy’s Bancomat. This creates a single network of 130 million users who can pay each other and merchants without ever touching a Visa or Mastercard rail.
Implementation: E-commerce payments are live in Germany and France right now, with NFC (tap-to-pay) scheduled for a full rollout across the EU later this year.
2. The Digital Euro (The Sovereign Alternative)
On February 10, 2026, the European Parliament officially voted to back the Digital Euro.
The Goal: It is designed to be “digital cash”—a public-sector alternative to private U.S. cards.
The “Why”: ECB President Christine Lagarde recently warned that relying on non-European infrastructure for 99% of digital payments is a “strategic vulnerability.” They want a system that works even if U.S. companies were to pull out (as they did in Russia).
3. The UK’s “DeliveryCo”
Even the UK, which isn’t in the EU, is following suit. Last month, major UK banks and the Bank of England began building a domestic “backup” payments platform—codenamed DeliveryCo—to ensure the UK economy can function independently of the American duopoly.
What it means for us?
For your work in the kiosk and self-service industry, this is a major shift:
Hardware Impact: New kiosks in Europe are already beginning to prioritize Account-to-Account (A2A) payments via QR codes and Wero, bypassing traditional card readers to save on swipe fees.
The “SoftPOS” Shift: There is a massive move toward Android-based SoftPOS that supports these European wallets natively, further reducing the need for expensive, specialized payment hardware.
The Reality Check: Visa and Mastercard aren’t disappearing. They are fighting back by investing billions in European data centers to keep data local and are actually participating in some of these “backup” discussions to remain relevant.
That is the opinion of Gemini. Let’s ask Anthropic.
The gist of what Gemini told you is directionally right (Europe is clearly pushing for more payment sovereignty), but parts of it are overstated or a bit dramatized.
What’s accurate
Wero / EPI is real and scaling fast.
Wero is the consumer brand of the European Payments Initiative, and it has reached on the order of 40–45 million enrolled users by late 2025, with expansion across Germany, France, Belgium and other markets, plus migration of iDEAL in the Netherlands starting 2026. Targets of over 130 million users across interoperable schemes (Wero + national systems) in the next phase are in line with public EPI / EuroPA Alliance material. E‑commerce is already live or rolling out, with POS use planned from 2027.
Digital euro: Parliament support in Feb 2026.
The European Parliament did vote in February 2026 to support moving forward with a digital euro, backing a model with both online and offline use and explicitly framing it as important for EU monetary sovereignty and reducing fragmentation in retail payments. This is not issuance yet, but a political green light to keep building toward a 2029-ish launch.
Strategic vulnerability narrative.
EU policymakers and MEPs have been explicit that heavy reliance on non‑European (often U.S.) private infrastructures for digital payments is a strategic dependency and a sovereignty risk, and they cite that as a core motivation for Wero/EPI and the digital euro. So the “we don’t want 95–99% of payments on US rails” storyline is consistent with the public discourse, even if exact percentages vary by country and segment.
UK “DeliveryCo”‑type initiative.
The UK is indeed working on a domestic payments “backup” rail for card transactions, usually framed as a resilience and sovereignty measure because around 95% of UK card transactions are on Visa/Mastercard systems. It is positioned as redundancy and risk mitigation, not a straight commercial replacement, and is expected to be costly and long‑dated (toward 2030).
Where Gemini is overstating or simplifying
“Breakup” and “eviction notice” language.
Public documents describe these moves as building alternative or sovereign rails and reducing single points of failure, not as ejecting Visa/Mastercard. The strategic goal is optionality and local control, not cutting off global schemes.
Numbers and timing are a bit loose.
Gemini’s “48.5 million users as of Feb 2026” is plausible as a forward-looking extrapolation, but published figures talk about 40–43.5 million users around 2025 and early 2026.
Wero + national schemes targeting 130M users is in the ballpark of what EPI/EuroPA communicate, but it’s a target as rollouts and integrations progress rather than a done deal today.
E‑commerce and POS timelines: sources say e‑commerce live in Germany from late 2025 and rolling out in 2026, with POS payments projected for 2027, not “NFC full EU rollout later this year” as a certainty.
“Digital euro as of Feb 10, 2026” wording.
Parliament’s vote is a political endorsement and alignment with the Council’s negotiating stance; it does not mean the digital euro exists as a live instrument yet. Rollout still depends on legislation and ECB decisions.
UK move: “began building” vs. roadmap.
UK work on a domestic backup rail and the “DeliveryCo” concept is real, but it’s framed as long‑term, expensive, and challenging, with emphasis on interoperability and resilience rather than quickly displacing Visa/Mastercard.
What this means in practice (for kiosks, etc.)
Europe is adding strong account‑to‑account and sovereign options (Wero/EPI, digital euro in the future, UK backup), which will increasingly be used alongside cards, especially in e‑commerce, P2P, and potentially POS.
Visa and Mastercard still own a huge chunk of card volumes and are likely to remain embedded, especially for cross‑border and travel, while also partnering with or integrating into some of these new schemes.
So: Europe hasn’t “turned its back” on Visa/Mastercard, but it has clearly decided it doesn’t want to be almost totally dependent on them and is now executing on serious alternatives. From your kiosk/self‑service perspective, the Gemini answer is conceptually useful, but I’d treat its tone and some specifics as more “op‑ed” than neutral fact.
Retaurants Self-Service – Kiosks, Drive-Thru, Menu Boards and more.
The Self-Service Innovation Pavilion at NRA Show 2026 (Booth #5829, North Building) showcases a fully integrated, enterprise-grade self-service stack for restaurant operators.
This is not a single vendor display—it is a coordinated ecosystem covering:
Kiosk hardware
AI and conversational interfaces
Regulatory and Accessibility compliance (ADA / EAA / UL / HIPAA / FDIC)
Payment orchestration
Edge computing infrastructure
Designed for 5–7 year lifecycle deployments, the pavilion demonstrates how to avoid fragmented pilots and deploy scalable, standards-based self-service systems.
Clients Noted — McDonald’s, Six Flags, USPS, Sam’s Club and Amazon
Walking Tour
NRA Tour
In Other News
In other news, KMA and TIG have introduced new company profile services featuring first-level SEO and AI analysis to help vendors improve internet visibility beyond a basic website listing. Organizations can use an online diagnostic self-survey to determine whether they need a formal profile, and profiles are available for purchase at $79. Additional Consensus research reports are also available, including coverage of voice in AI self-service, cash acceptance versus credit with calculator, and a retrofit decision kit with ROI calculator; supporters receive all data reports at no additional cost. Become a supporter and all reports for next 12 months including past reports are free.
Background — The Self-Service Stack (What You’ll See)
Layer 1 – Edge Compute
Intel-based platforms enabling:
Local AI processing (low latency)
Reduced cloud dependency
Enterprise remote management
Layer 2 – OS & Device Management
Secure lockdown (Sitekiosk)
Fleet orchestration
Long lifecycle stability
Layer 3 – Applications
Ordering workflows
AI-assisted upsell
Voice interaction (URway)
Layer 4 – Accessibility (Critical)
Screen reader integration (TPGi)
ADA / EN 301 549 alignment
EAA readiness (2026 enforcement)
Layer 5 – Payments
Modular terminal integration
Secure transaction orchestration
Future-ready for Android POS ecosystems
Layer 6 – Physical Kiosk
Pyramid POLYTOUCH systems
Modular, serviceable hardware design
Enterprise deployment ready
Who to Meet at Booth #5829
Craig Keefner – Strategy, lifecycle planning, global benchmarks
High-Value Exhibitors for Kiosk / Self-Service Coverage
Amusement Expo International 2026 takes place March 16–19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together operators, equipment manufacturers, and technology suppliers from across the global amusement and family entertainment industry. Organized by the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA), the event typically attracts more than 5,000 industry professionalsand serves as one of the primary North American gatherings for arcade, redemption, location-based entertainment, and unattended retail technology.
The four-day program combines two days of education sessions followed by a two-day trade show, where exhibitors showcase everything from arcade systems and prize redemption machines to cashless payments, venue management platforms, and self-service technologies. While traditionally focused on arcades and family entertainment centers, the show increasingly overlaps with the broader unattended retail and kiosk ecosystem, including cashless payment providers, ticketing platforms, and embedded systems used in modern entertainment venues and automated retail environments.
Here is our “We should visit” list according to our self-service focus.
These are directly relevant to kiosks, digital payments, or unattended retail.
Payments / Cashless / Fintech
These are extremely relevant to kiosks, vending, and unattended retail.
Embedded World 2026, one of the world’s most influential exhibitions for embedded systems and industrial computing, took place from March 10–12, 2026 in Nuremberg Messe.
At the event, Giada Technology presented its latest embedded computing and industrial hardware solutions designed for digital signage, industrial automation, and intelligent edge applications.
It signals that Giada is using Embedded World 2026 as a strategic stage to position itself as a serious edge/embedded computing player for industrial, retail, and robotics/automation use cases, not just classic digital signage.
Why this post matters
Visibility at a flagship show
Embedded World Nuremberg is one of the top global events for embedded and industrial computing, so exhibiting there (Hall 3, Booth 3‑255) puts Giada in the same comparison set as other serious industrial vendors rather than only signage/media‑player brands.
Shift to edge AI and industrial Giada’s recent messaging emphasizes edge AI and industrial platforms (not just DS players), aligning with industry trends of moving AI inference and control closer to devices, which affects kiosk, robotics, and automation roadmap decisions.
Partnership signaling (humanoid/robotics)
The co‑exhibit with Xborg Robot and the XBORG‑H02 dexterous hand at the same booth shows Giada wants to be seen as an enabler for humanoid robotics and high‑payload automation scenarios, which is a higher‑value, longer‑lifecycle market than basic media playback.
Ecosystem credibility for your space
For kiosk/digital signage and edge projects, this kind of announcement helps reassure integrators and OEMs that Giada is investing in long‑term industrial/AI platforms and will be present in the broader embedded ecosystem (support, roadmaps, and design‑in cycles handled like an embedded vendor rather than a commodity box maker).
Ten big themes stood out at Embedded World 2026 this year.
1. Strong growth and global reach
Around 36,000 visitors from nearly 90 countries, up more than 13% vs. 2025, underscoring the show’s pull as the embedded hub.
1,262 exhibitors from 43 countries filled seven halls, with net space up about 5–6%.
Award‑winning AI IP like Ceva’s NeuPro Nano highlighted ultra‑low‑power, compressed‑model processing as a core direction.
3. Embedded vision everywhere
Embedded vision systems were promoted as the basis for the emerging “industrial metaverse,” replacing PC‑based inspection with cheaper, integrated platforms.
Vision‑centric products and an embedded‑vision award category underlined the importance of cameras plus ML for inspection and robotics.
4. Secure, post‑quantum hardware
Lattice’s MachXO5‑NX TDQ FPGA family won “Best in Show” for integrating quantum‑resistant cryptography and crypto‑agility into low‑power FPGAs.
Security was a named award category, showing how embedded security is now a primary design axis, not an afterthought.
A concrete example in our Embedded World context would be something like an FPGA or SoC with built‑in PQC accelerators and secure boot that can switch from today’s RSA/ECC to NIST‑standardized PQC schemes over time, protecting long‑life industrial or kiosk devices against “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks.
5. Convergence of connectivity (IIoT to 6G)
The program highlighted wired IIoT, short‑range wireless, LPWAN, and cellular (NB‑IoT, Cat‑M1, 5G, early 6G) as a combined toolbox for industrial systems.
Cloud‑integrated IIoT “total solutions” from providers reinforced the move from components to full stacks.
6. Ultra‑low‑power sensor and wearable platforms
Best‑in‑Show and award write‑ups emphasized sub‑milliwatt always‑on SoCs (e.g., ECS‑DoT) for wake‑word, motion, and environmental sensing.
Wearable dev platforms like BeagleBadge showcased dense sensing plus huge expansion options for rapid prototyping.
7. Displays and HMI innovation
An “Electronic Displays” award category and winners like adaptive e‑paper driving tech showed emphasis on low‑power, high‑readability front ends.
Vendors such as DATA MODUL promoted modular HMI, RFID, and touch systems as building blocks for industrial and kiosk UIs.
8. Tools, software, and safety
Dedicated award categories for Software, Tools, and Safety & Security highlighted growing complexity in development and certification flows.
Conference sessions stressed robust toolchains and secure‑by‑design approaches for safety‑critical and regulated applications.
9. Startups and novel architectures
A Startup award category and multiple SoC / IP / IC design entries reflected rapid experimentation with ML‑specific and event‑driven architectures.
RISC‑V and custom accelerators appeared in several low‑power AI and sensor‑processing platforms.
10. New India edition and global expansion
Organizers announced “embedded world India” in Bengaluru (Nov 17–19, 2026) as a fourth location, targeting one of the fastest‑growing embedded markets.
Tying it to Bengaluru Tech Summit is intended to deepen connections between local design teams, global suppliers, and the conference brand.
Embedded Computing Market — Size & Scale (Key Data Points)
The global embedded computing marketis generally estimated between $95B and $120B annually (2025–2026)depending on whether industrial PCs and edge servers are included.
Embedded processors and microcontrollersaccount for the largest share — roughly $50B–$65B annuallyacross ARM, RISC-V, and x86 architectures.
Edge AI embedded systemsare the fastest-growing segment, projected to exceed $35B by 2030with CAGR around 18–22%.
The industrial automation sectorrepresents approximately 30–35% of embedded computing demand, driven by robotics, PLCs, and machine vision.
Automotive embedded systems (ADAS, infotainment, ECUs) represent another 25–30% of the market, making it the largest single vertical.
Retail, kiosks, and self-service systemsrepresent an estimated $4B–$8B embedded hardware segment globallydepending on definition (kiosks, POS terminals, digital signage players).
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for roughly 45–50% of global embedded hardware production, largely due to China, Taiwan, and South Korea manufacturing ecosystems.
The installed base of embedded systems worldwide exceeds 30 billion devices, ranging from IoT sensors to industrial controllers.
Common Definitions of Embedded Computing
Because analysts define it differently, these are the 10 most common interpretationsused in industry reports.
Dedicated Function Computer A computer system designed to perform a specific task rather than general computing (example: ATM controller, kiosk PC).
Computer Integrated Into a Device A processor or computing system built into equipment or machineryrather than used as a standalone PC.
Real-Time System Controller Systems designed to operate with deterministic timing, often used in industrial automation, robotics, and vehicles.
Firmware-Driven System Embedded devices frequently run specialized firmware or RTOS software instead of full desktop operating systems.
Low-Power Compute Platform Many embedded systems prioritize power efficiency, heat management, and small form factorover raw performance.
Industrial Edge Computer Ruggedized computing platforms deployed near sensors or machines to process data locally.
IoT Endpoint Device Small embedded processors acting as connected devices in the Internet of Things ecosystem.
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Platform Embedded computers powering touchscreens, kiosks, and control panelsused by humans.
Device Controller Systems responsible for controlling hardware componentssuch as motors, sensors, or displays.
Edge AI Processor Platform Modern embedded systems increasingly include AI accelerators (NPUs, GPUs, or TPUs)for computer vision and machine learning inference.
No one questions the importance of healthcare (here is our Hub for healthcare fyi). Sooner or later, it becomes everyone’s primary concern.
The automation explosion that is changing human activities by the day is transforming healthcare in more ways than many people recognize. Those who attended last week’s HIMSS 2026 Las Vegas show sponsored by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society got an expansive view of how automation is both changing and challenging this critically important industry.
One show exhibitor, Cybernet Manufacturing, offered the following assessment of automation’s current and future role in healthcare. Automation will:
Enhance patient care and safety.
Streamline administrative tasks such as patient scheduling and paperwork handling.
Optimize resource usage such as patient bed usage or provider assignments.
Improve sharing of data such as lab results, heart rates and oxygen levels between providers for decision making and diagnosis.
KioskIndustry.org walked the show at the Venetian Expo with an eye on improved patient care and the challenges that such innovations pose to caregivers and government regulators.
The digital front door opens
The Industry Group, a network of self-service resources, and the Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) presented a fully integrated, accessibility-focused, self-service ecosystem designed for the modern hospital campus. The ecosystem consists of:
Touchless hygienic screens from HoverTap, enabling safer interactions across the hospital. This technology works seamlessly with gloves, liquids and plastic drapes to maintain a sterile environment.
Medical-grade durability for clinical equipment meeting the 60601-1 certification (standard for the safety and performance of medical electrical equipment: the Insight Touch 21-inch Medical AIO.
High-speed patient identity enabled by secure wristband and badge printing powered by BOCA Systems.
ADA compliant accessibility for blind and disabled individuals provided by Storm Interface assistive hardware integrated with JAWS Kiosk software.
“We are entering a critical window for healthcare accessibility,” observed Craig Keefner, editor in chief at The Industry Group. “With the 2026 government regulatory deadlines approaching, our goal is to provide a clear, technical path forward for providers to remain compliant while improving the patient experience.”
What Was The Touchless Demo?
Interesting how to train and educate an AI in gesture. Imagine building library of thousands of patterns for AI to decode. How to build a data foundation. AI Gesture Recognition in healthcare. For kiosk deployers and healthcare IT leaders, the real question is no longer whether touchless interaction will arrive, but what to do now it has. https://kioskindustry.org/gesture-recognition-ai/
Olea Kiosks At HIMSS
What are the challenges with AI and Healthcare?
AI’s impact on the pace of change was a major focus of seminars and exhibits at the show. AI enabled automation has moved from pilots to scalable implementations with proven returns on investment. Industry observers noted, however, that the accelerated pace of advancing technology challenges the ability to separate “AI hype” from verifiable progress.
To this end, HIMSS released the following “Executive Insights” statement identifying six focus areas that help determine whether AI actually improves patient-centered care at scale: data, integration, trust, governance/liability, economics and equity.
Data quality/privacy/interoperability
Fragmented electronic health records and siloed systems make it hard to assemble a longitudinal, patient-centered record for AI to learn from or act on.
Incomplete, biased or low-quality data undermine model performance, especially for underrepresented groups, while privacy and consent requirements complicate data sharing. These requirements include HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), GDPR 42 CFR Part 2 (a federal regulation protecting the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records requiring patient consent for disclosures) and state laws.
2) Workflow integration/change management
Many AI tools sit outside normal clinical workflows or require “one more screen” which clinicians do not currently use at scale.
Scaling demands deep redesign of processes (scheduling, triage, care navigation and documentation) rather than layering AI on top of broken workflows, plus heavy investment in training and change management.
3) Trust/transparency/patient acceptance
Clinicians worry about reliability, explainability and “black box” recommendations, especially when AI touches diagnosis, triage or treatment rather than back-office tasks.
Some patients distrust AI-driven decisions, chatbots or automated outreach, particularly if communication feels impersonal or errors are not handled with human oversight.
4) Governance/safety/liability at scale
Organizations lack mature enterprise governance for model selection, validation, drift monitoring, incident reporting and retirement across hundreds of use cases.
Unclear liability (who is responsible when an AI recommendation is wrong) and evolving regulation create risk aversion and slow movement from pilots to production.
5) Economics/incentives/infrastructure
Most health systems use fee-for-service models that reward volume, not AI-enabled prevention, care coordination or navigation, weakening the business case for patient-centered AI at scale.
Underinvestment in data platforms, machine learning operations and ongoing model maintenance means many organizations run pilots but never build the “digital core” to scale.
6) Bias/generalization/health equity
Models often fail to generalize across sites, populations, and social contexts; performance can drop sharply for minorities, rural patients or those with sparse history.
Without deliberate measurement and mitigation, AI can worsen disparities — for example, by preferentially helping digitally literate or commercially insured patients navigate care.
Hype versus platform thinking
During one keynote presentation, Dr. John Halamka, president of the Mayo Clinic Platform — a partnership of providers, biopharma companies, medical device companies, health tech startups and payers to drive innovation around diagnosis, treatment and operational improvement — expanded on the importance of moving away from “AI hype” and focusing on “platform thinking,” using data and digital tools to build continuous, non-episodice care systems.
The Mayo Clinic Platform leverages curated datasets for predictive modeling to ensure new infrastructure is prepared for future technology, including lidar and drone technology. The project also focuses on partnering with industry innovators to validate clinical AI solutions to ensure they meet regulatory and technology standards.
This project clearly aligns with kiosk innovations addressing personal health information (PHI) vulnerabilities.
The Industry Group has gone as far as to note that the push to modernize patient check-in has led to a dangerous oversight in hospital IT. In the rush to implement touchless interfaces, voice recognition and biometric authentication, many facilities are relying on cloud-based AI.
From a compliance standpoint, cloud AI can be a massive vulnerability, The Industry Group notes. More precisely — cloud AI introduces expanded exposure surfaces for PHI in patient-facing kiosk environments.
For example, if a patient speaks their symptoms into a kiosk or uses facial recognition to check in and that data is transmitted to an external server for processing, they have introduced latency, bandwidth strain and a complex web of business associate agreements into the workflow.
Hence, for patient-facing kiosks handling PHI, The Industry Group claims Edge AI should be the default architectural standard as Edge AI moves from concept to deployment. Edge AI refers to running AI algorithms and models directly on hardware devices. Edge AI utilizes hardware with an integrated neural processing unit (NPU), enabling a kiosk to process the data locally.
When a patient interacts with a camera for touchless vitals like rPPG technology to measure heart rate or speaks to a digital assistant, for example, the NPU interprets the data instantly. The critical compliance factor is that the raw video or audio never leaves the device’s random access memory (RAM). The resulting text or data point passes securely to the electronic health record, and the raw biometric capture is instantly purged.
HIMSS 2026 underscores automation’s promise – if paired with governance and equity – to reshape patient care.
Exhibitor hgighlights
Following are highlights from the trade show floor in alphabetical order.
Acer
Acer, a Chromebook innovation partner, has engineered its portfolio of ChromeOS Enterprise devices for healthcare, providing technical and administrative support for healthcare professionals.
Physicians, needing seamless integration when moving between patient rooms, can now use ChromeOS for on-the-go mobile care and rapid login between shifts.
Lab technicians, needing to rapidly run tests and access results, can use ChromeOS for virtualized legacy application access and cloud data storage compatibility.
Office administrators, having to manage scheduling, intake and discharge, can use ChromeOS for scheduling interface and secure patient data sharing.
Patients, wanting a higher quality experience while filling out paperwork, checking in with check-in kiosks or waiting for care, can deploy ChromeOS for waiting room entertainment.
Advantech
Advantech, a provider of embedded and Internet of Things solutions, demonstrated how its AI-ready medical platforms enable real-time clinical intelligence supporting mobile, bedside and point-of-care workflows.
The solutions provide healthcare organizations with platforms designed for local data processing to reduce latency, support compliance and deliver consistent performance in clinical environments.
Utilizing Intel processors and Nvidia GPUs, Advantech AI workloads at the medical edge now allow healthcare providers to assess performance, system responsiveness and deployment readiness at the point of care.
The solutions include all-in-one medical PCs for diverse clinical environments, medical box PCs for space-constrained hospital settings, monitors for surgical, diagnostic and clinical use, and medical carts supporting mobile point-of-care workflows.
The company’s PAX-332 3D surgical display monitor delivers high-brightness 3D imaging for endoscopy, laparoscopy and robotic surgery with serial digital interface. Features include:
Flicker-free 3D imaging delivers stable, eye-friendly 3D visualization for long surgical procedures.
4K UHD resolution offers detailed imaging to support surgical operations.
High brightness and contrast ensures visualization and enhanced depth perception in the operating room.
Multi-format and input support works with multiple 3D formats and supports HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, DVI, and serial digital interface.
The surgical-grade design features reliable simulink mode and CE-certified quality (a European Union certification) for clinical use.
Altus
Altus, a manufacturer of mobile workstations and smart fleet management tools for healthcare, introduced ClioConnect, an IoT platform to improve workflow and increase uptime for clinical and IT teams. ClioConnect provides insights into cart usage, location and service needs and integrates with platforms like ServiceNow.
The solution offers real-time cart visibility, remote support, ticketing, tracking and IT integration, maximizing uptime and reducing disruptions.
Analytics and optimized cart inventory insights allow teams to manage resources more efficiently, reduce waste and make informed decisions that support both clinical care and financial sustainability.
ClioConnect integrates with existing IT systems to provide an intuitive dashboard experience, proactive battery monitoring and certified data protections.
Athenehealth
Athenahealth described how its AI-native athenaOne platform unlocks data access across the healthcare ecosystem. Additionally, the company demonstrated how its intelligent interoperability efforts are transforming the industry beyond compliance and basic data exchange to provide practices with a seamless experience that make clinical insights visible and actionable at the point of care.
The athenaOne ecosystem connects health care solutions to customers through enhanced search and specialty specific discovery, improving visibility of health care solutions and accelerating adoption. The engaged customer base actively adopts partner innovations to extend the value of athenaOne and meet evolving needs. According to the company, 71% of athenaOne customers use at least one partner solution from the marketplace.
The company also introduced athenaConnect, an intelligent interoperability layer that provides a single access point for external health systems, community hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic labs and partners to connect and coordinate care with 170,000 athenahealth providers serving 20% of the U.S. population.
This athenaConnect intelligent interoperability layer brings together integration solutions that bridge athenaOne with external partners, enabling practices to coordinate care across local healthcare markets. It allows clinical information to reach providers at the right time in the right workflows.
Avasure
Avasure, a provider of acute care, virtual care and monitoring solutions, presented its virtual care platform that healthcare providers use to engage with patients, optimize staffing and blend remote and in-person care at scale.
The platform deploys AI-powered virtual sitting and virtual nursing solutions, meets enterprise IT standards and drives measurable outcomes with support from care experts.
The virtual care platform is designed to bring the “smart room of the future” to life, serving as the infrastructure layer that connects electronic records, devices and clinical systems across the hospital environment.
Avasure was recognized in the 2022 KLAS Emerging Solutions Top 20 Report for having the greatest impact on reducing the cost of care. The top 20 emerging solutions were selected by healthcare leaders across the county with the help of KLAS to find the solutions that had the greatest potential to disrupt the healthcare market. Solutions were rated by how well they could impact the Quadruple Aim of Healthcare.
Axiomtek Co. Ltd.
Axiomtek Co. Ltd., a provider of embedded computing technology serving a variety of industries, showcased medical technologies designed to serve healthcare environments.
The MPC241, a 24-inch AI-enhanced medical panel PC designed for seamless integration into hospitals and clinical applications, combines AI acceleration with a fanless, IP65-rated front design and a full HD multi-touch display.
The MPC241 is designed to ensure durability, reliability and an intuitive user experience in demanding medical environments.
The SSK722 dual 21.5-inch display with 12th Gen Intel Core i7/i5/i3 or Celeron processor.
The SSK723 modular kiosk with 21.5-inch display and flexible payment options.
The SSK724 15.6- and 21.5-inch modular kiosk with flexible peripheral integration and cash/cashless transaction support.
Baxter International Inc.
Baxter International Inc., a medical technology provider, highlighted its Welch Allyn Connex 360 Vital Signs Monitor, a patient monitoring device, a connectivity and security platform with customizable configurations based on a hospital’s clinical routines.
With automated clinical documentation, Connex 360 is designed to simplify the clinician experience and allow more time to focus on patients.
Connex 360 captures vital signs for adult, pediatric and neonate patients, including blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and blood oxygen levels. Care teams can obtain a set of patient vitals in less than one minute and automatically send to the electronic medical record.
The data flow is powered by Baxter’s cloud-based DeviceBridge platform, which works behind the scenes to help enable accurate data transfer from Connex 360 to hospital IT systems, including the EMR. DeviceBridge also helps supportsecure device access andclinical data interoperability across Baxter’s ecosystem of connected devices.
Boca Systems
Boca Systems, a manufacturer of direct thermal ticket printers, demonstrated its RFID wristband and badge printers for healthcare at the KMA (Kiosk Manufacturer Association) exhibit. The company’s Lemur printers eliminate the need for ink, toner and ribbons.
The company’s badge printers are available in 300dpi and 600dpi resolution and print badges in one to two seconds.
The new Lemu-CS model can hold a 5.25-inch diameter roll of wristbands and does not require proprietary wristband cartridges.
Boca Systems printers support barcodes and graphics at maximum print speeds exceeding 10 inches per second. Premium options such as Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth and RFID encoding are available on all models.
Boca Systems’ product line includes kiosk printers, RFID printers, receipt printers, under-the-counter printers and specialty printers.
CDW Healthcare
CDW Healthcare, a provider of healthcare technology solutions, displayed a range of products and services, including its “intelligent value model for AI” designed to produce easier adoption, effectiveness and innovation.
The AI use cases include:
Generative AI for producing content or insights, consisting of text, code and images.
Predictive AI for forecasting future outcomes based on past data.
Agentic AI which acts autonomously on tasks, such as decision making, planning and tools.
The value model includes AI in several departments of a healthcare organization: natural language data queries, workflow embedded copilots, NPL driven clinical decision support, conversational AI for patients, ambient listening, clinical documentation and machine vision for imaging interpretation.
CertifyOS
CertifyOS, which offers provider data management solutions, explained its Provider Hub, a data management platform designed to eliminate fragmentation and lower costs for health plans and digital health companies.
Provider Hub ingests, cleanses, normalizes and validates data from a wide range of sources — including credentialing, directories, claims, rosters and internal systems — to power critical workflows that sit on top of the data and deliver operational insights.
Provider Hub reduces manual effort and leads to fewer silos, fewer vendors, fewer delays and lower costs.
Capabilities include:
Ingest and unify provider data from structured and unstructured sources into a single, complete profile.
Clean, standardize and validate data using thousands of rules and 1,600-plus primary sources.
Resolve duplicates and link records across systems using AI-driven logic to maintain data integrity.
Set and apply custom rules to prioritize the most authoritative or recent data when conflicts arise.
Model complex relationships between providers, groups, locations and plans with full audit trails.
Integrate directly with downstream systems including credentialing, contracting, directories and claims.
Activate insights across departments to identify gaps, flag issues and support decision-making.
Run credentialing, monitoring and outreach workflows in real time to reduce turnaround and touchpoints.
Continuously monitor provider data and deliver alerts on expirations, sanctions or outdated records.
Clear
Clear, a provider of identity verification technology, introduced its Clear1, a new name for its secure identity platform, to power a single, interoperable identity.
Clear1 matches a user’s face to their government issued ID, creating a unique, reusable identity so users can reverify in seconds with a selfie at Clear kiosks.
Clear1 embeds directly into core platforms such as electronic health records, patient portals and clinician tools to streamline account creation, access and recovery. By unifying digital channels with check-in touchpoints such as kiosks and handheld tablets, prior Clear1 integrations have increased digital check-in adoption, reduced duplicate records and enabled health systems to redirect staff hours back to patient care.
Clear1 is full service certified by the Kantara Initiative for NIST Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) and Authenticator Assurance Level 2 (AAL2), according to a company announcement.
Cybernet Manufacturing
Cybernet Manufacturing, a computer manufacturer, showcased its certified medical grade devices, including battery powered computers, standard powered computers, power-over-ethernet computers, tablets, monitors, box PCs and AI computers.
The CyberMed Ai Series combines AI processing with certified medical safety. Features include:
AI-Ready: Supports AI workloads with NVIDIA RTX ADA GPU and 14th-gen Intel CPU.
Medically certified: Certified to IEC 60601-1 and 60601-1-2 standards of electrical safety.
Efficient cooling: Fans and airflow reduce noise and maintain performance.
Touchscreen: Optional 7-inch display for real-time video review or custom control interface.
The CyberMed GG series of battery powered medical computers available in 22- and 24-inch sizes feature 11th Generation Intel Core i3/i5 and i7 processors, a 10% smaller footprint with ultra-thin bezels, and three hot swappable batteries with carrying handles.
The CyberMed G series standard powered medical computers available in 15-, 22- and 24-inch sizes feature 14th generation Intel Ultra 5 and 7 processors, a 10% smaller footprint with ultra-thin bezels, and optional isolated USB ports.
Datalogic
Datalogic, a manufacturer of mobile computers and handheld scanners, highlighted several devices.
The Memor 17HC mobile computer and smart docking handheld computer for point-of-care documentation features a docking station that allows clinicians to dock the mobile computer and instantly access a full desktop environment, streamlining bedside workflows and reducing hardware.
The Gryphon 4600 HC Scanner Series features AI-driven neural decoding for reading of 1D/2D barcodes, including small, curved or poorly printed barcodes.
The PowerScan 9600 DPX and RFID solutions feature RFID enabled workflows for surgical instrument tracking and inventory management to enhance safety and efficiency in sterile processing environments.
The CodiSan wearable scanning solutions enable hands-free mobility to support efficient bedside care.
The Datalogic Connect offers a software platform for IT teams to gain full device visibility, perform secure remote updates and ensure maximum uptime of healthcare devices.
Infection control devices are designed with antimicrobial, disinfectant-ready materials to withstand harsh cleaning agents.
Dell Technologies
Dell Technologies, a provider of PCs, servers, storage, networking, security, and cloud and edge infrastructure, demonstrated AI driven care and clinical workflows highlighting AI powered medical imaging, performance computing for genomics aimed at improving diagnostic speed and accuracy, and digital pathology.
The company demonstrated:
Digital assistants providing personalized patient treatment and computing for genomics research.
Cyber vault approaches to protect patient data and ensure operational continuity.
Integrated clinical workstations for enhanced staff productivity.
Eonis Vision, a glasses-free 3D medical imaging solution.
AI-driven medical imaging and digital pathology to improve diagnostic speed and accuracy.
Digi International
Digi International, a provider of Internet of Things connectivity solutions, desribed its Digi Connect EZ WS to enable seamless serial-over-ethernet connectivity, facilitating the integration of patient device data into hospital electronic medical records and other downstream systems.
Designed for use in patient care environments, it complies with IEC 60601 3rd Edition standards and features four RS-232 serial ports. Additionally, the Digi Connect EZ WS provides Ethernet connectivity for serial devices, ensuring data transmission to central management systems.
Digi’s RealPort technology enables communication between a host computer and networked serial devices by creating a local COM or TTY port. This allows for data transmission while providing system administrators with control over incoming, outgoing and Telnet sessions on each port.
Digi Connect EZ WS and built-in Digi TrustFence protect security and operations teams against evolving threats with encrypted connections, centralized authentication, VPN support and scalable security updates.
The company also launched its Model Context Protocol server for its Digi Remote Manager, a cloud-based device management platform, and Genesis, a remote monitoring platform, enabling customers to integrate large language model products such as Claude and other enterprise AI assistants directly with these two platforms. This protocol is designed to allow organizations to better monitor, manage and optimize connected infrastructure and wireless WAN deployments at scale.
By bridging enterprise AI tools with Digi’s device management platforms, customers can accelerate operational efficiency, reduce complexity and empower teams with context aware insights across their connectivity deployments.
Hatchmed
Hatchmed, medical device maker specializing in patient safety and communication hardware and software, displayed bedside connectivity and smart room technology to streamline clinical workflows, improve operational efficiencies and enhance the patient experience without requiring new infrastructure or system overhauls.
The company’s HallMonitor digital signage system integrates iPads into sleek, customizable enclosures, combining real-time synchronization of patient data with contextual lighting to display status information such as isolation measures or the presence of medical staff.
HallMonitor features tactile room signage and complies with relevant clinical standards.
The company’s Black Jack bed alarm reduces patient falls and connects any bed to any nurse call system with a UL listed magnetic connection. The device comes with wall and bedside mounting brackets.
The company’s PillowCase device features a built-in tether that keeps the iPad powered, secured, and safe from fluid or chemical damage around the patient.
The company’s ComCierge is a patient- facing software that digitizes hospital pillow speakers. The software brings the nurse call system to hospital or patient owned tablets and supports more than 15 languages, automatically selected via the electronic health record upon admission.
HealthAsyst
HealthAsyst, a provider of engineering and consulting services, offered information about its AI enabled product engineering for healthcare.
The company uses an AI enabled software development lifecycle, combining healthcare domain expertise with engineering practices. The AI augmented approach accelerates delivery, improves quality and reduces risk without disrupting care delivery.
Areas of expertise include electronic health records, revenue cycle management, clearing house, patient engagement, business intelligence, analytics, medical devices and hospital departments.
Whether through patient-facing apps, provider tools or internal systems, the full cycle product engineering services embed intelligence across every phase, accelerating development, improving quality and reducing risk.
The company’s teams design and engineer products aligned with U.S. healthcare regulations and certification requirements, including HIPAA (safeguarding patient data privacy and security), ONC Certification and Cures Act (ensuring electronic health record interoperability and compliance), NCQA-HEDIS, MIPS, MACRA, eCOMs (enabling clinical quality reporting) and state government requirements.
Hitekon
Hitekon, a manufacturer of terminals and tablets, discussed its medical terminals and tablets for healthcare, providing patients bedside access to communication, information and entertainment.
The CareLink 10 Medical Infotainment Terminalfeatures a 10.1-inch Android touchscreen device, providing patients with entertainment, communication and education options.
The TitanTab 10 Medical Rugged Tablet, when paired with medical software, becomes a component in managing and sharing medical information. The tablet integrates essential modules like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 4G LTE and 5G for data transmission, and NFC for identification.
The TitanTab 7 Mobile Rugged Tablet is a 7-inch (1280×800) IP65-rated Android tablet powered by a 64-bit RK3568 Quad Core Cortex-A55 that runs on Android 14 or Linux and integrates modules such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 4G LTE for data transmission and NFC for identification.
The TitanTab 7S Stationary Rugged Tablet is a 7-inch (1024×600) IP65-rated Android tablet that integrates essential modules like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 4G LTE for data transmission and NFC for identification and connects a multitude of peripherals.
The CareLink 15 Medical Infotainment Terminalis a 15.6-inch touchscreen device that runs on Android or Linux and integrates with hospital IT, electronic health record and patient’s own devices andprovides patients with entertainment, communication and education options.
The CareLink 21 Medical Infotainment Terminal is a 21.5-inch touchscreen device that runs on Android or Linux and integrates with hospital IT, EHR and the patient’s own devices toprovide patients with entertainment, communication and education options.
Honeywell Industrial Automation
Honeywell Industrial Automation outlined its portfolio of mobile computers, barcode scanners, printers and software tailored to healthcare environments, focusing on the use of technology to create smarter healthcare, improved accuracy and stronger connections among staff, patients and data.
The company’s CT37 mobile computer enables electronic medical record charting, scanning and clinical communication in a single device.
The company’s workflow optimization tools enhance connectivity and reduce complexity for clinicians.
The disinfectant-ready products are designed to withstand harsh cleaning agents in clinical settings.
The company also demonstrated how its Swift Decoder serves as a count solution for counting and receiving multiple pills at once by locating and decoding multiple barcodes simultaneously. The SwiftCount solution provides real-time feedback on scanning progress using an augmented reality overlay. For example, a green check mark shows the user which barcodes have been successfully counted.
Howard Med Technology Solutions
Howard Med Technology Solutions, a provider of medical equipment, power options and services to hospitals, presented carts, mounting arms, cabinets, cameras and storage options designed for point-of-care efficiencyand telehealth integrations with partners like Vitalchat for virtual nursing.
The company presented its Hi-Care Pro, featuring Apple’s Mac platform, which allows clinicians to power through medical workflows while integrating the emergency medical room systems. Standard features include:
Capacitive touch control panel with haptic feedback, visual and audio alerts, height adjustment and light controls.
OLED screen with battery run time and fuel gauge.
Programmable red-green-blue task light with customizable accent lighting.
Raised edge work surface with translucent protective cover.
150-watt inverter with 50 amp-hour class lithium iron phosphate battery.
Fan cooled PC compartment.
Multiple universal accessory mounting locations.
Four 5-inch casters with two locking casters on front.
Electronic steering assist.
8-foot hospital grade coiled power cord with integrated hooks.
USB charging port on keyboard tray.
Programmable secure access to storage drawers and patient bins via keypad or software with independent bypass key.
Automatic relock with adjustable timer.
Electronic storage with auto on/off storage lighting, open drawer alert and audit logging.
Meets UL and CE (European Union) standards.
Hyland
Hyland, a provider of content services and enterprise content management,describedits AI solutions to assist healthcare organizations in using unstructured content to improve operational and patient outcomes.
The company’s Intelligent MedRecords and Intelligent Correspondence for Revenue Cycle tools use generative AI to boost efficiency and accuracy across health information management and revenue cycle workflows.
By leveraging AI-powered document capture, classification and data extraction, the solution streamlines workflows, improves data accuracy and enhances both clinician and health information management team experiences. The solution reduces bottlenecks, minimizes errors and accelerates access to critical patient information.
The Intelligent Correspondence for Revenue Cycle streamlines the intake and processing of revenue cycle documents, such as faxes, lockbox files and emails, using AI automation. By eliminating manual tasks and accelerating data extraction, this solution helps healthcare organizations reduce operational costs, improve data accuracy, and enhance staff and patient experiences.
Both solutions feature a GenAI prompt-based interface that simplifies automation design and accelerates deployment, helping healthcare organizations scale automation with limited IT resources.
Running on Hyland’s AI‑native Content Innovation Cloud, these solutions benefit from built-in intelligence and provide a foundation for increasingly context‑aware automation across clinical and financial workflows.
Imprivata
Imprivata, a provider of access management solutions for healthcare and other mission-critical industries, launched its Agentic identity management, a capability specifically designed to secure and govern AI agents in healthcare, treating them as managed identities to prevent data leaks and unauthorized access.
The company is extending its healthcare access management platform to securely integrate AI agents across both modern and legacy healthcare systems, enabling organizations to safely unlock the productivity benefits of AI without disrupting existing infrastructure.
Imprivata Agentic identity management treats AI agents as managed identities within the organization’s identity and security framework. By authenticating agents, enforcing least-privilege access and monitoring activity in real time, Imprivata enables healthcare organizations to safely deploy AI agents that enhance clinician productivity while maintaining oversight and accountability.
The company also demonstrated its passwordless authentication, its latest in enterprise access management — which recently won a 2026 Best in KLAS award — to reduce authentication bottlenecks for clinicians.
The company also presented shared mobile device management solutions designed to improve workflow efficiency for shared-use mobile devices in clinical environments.
Insight Touch Technology
Insight Touch Technology, a manufacturer of POS hardware, announced its introduction to the U.S. healthcare market at the KMA (Kiosk Manufacturer Association) exhibit by introducing three touch all-in-one PCs.
The company specializes in IEC 60601-1 certified medical-grade touchscreens and kiosks designed for healthcare, featuring antimicrobial, IP65-rated and glove-compatible PCAP technology. The displays and self-service terminals are built for clinical environments, offering high-speed identity (wristband/badge printing) and secure patient data access.
The 21.5-inch Touch AIO PC-Medical Grade PC supports Windows OS and runs on Intel i5 (5G+128G). Features include a 10-point PCAP touch; 12920X1200 DPI LCD; dustproof, waterproof and explosion proof front panel; memory storage with added RF absorbing material; internal cable with ferrite rings to resist electromagnetic interface; along with HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, RJ45 and audio and power button interfaces.
The 15-inch Touch AIO PC white color PC features a 1024X766DPI LCD, and runs on Intel i3 CPU, 4G+64G. The PC also features a 10-point PCAP touch, zero-bezel design and a dustproof front panel that is both waterproof and explosion proof. The unit supports Windows OS and features HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, audio and power button interfaces.
The 10.1-inch RS108 Rugged Tablet supports Android OS 14 and features a front 5MP camera and a rear 13MP camera. The unit also features a 1920X1080 LDC (16.9), a MTK8788 CPU (6G+128G), Wi-Fi (2.4G+5G), NFC, a barcode scanner (IR Scan and optional QR Scan) and a connector (NanoSIM, 3.5mm audio jack, USB-A, USB-C and Micro SD).
IPORT
IPORT, a provider of device management hardware and software solutions, reviewed its IPORT Connect platform, consisting of four modes of use: dock, station, mount and mobile, each designed to match how iPads and iPhones are used. Healthcare applications include bedside, check-in, caregiver workflow and telehealth.
The IPORT interfaces enable wireless docking, stationing and transitioning to mobile. IPORT protects the iOS devices’ lighting or USB-C receptacle, preventing damage to the most commonly broken part of an iOS device.
Dock mode supports rest and recharge. The user drops the case into the magnetic dock and automatically aligns it for charging with no cables. The MultiDockSync can sync it to a computer via USB for updates or device management.
Station mode allows the iPad to temporarily mount while charging wirelessly. Optional locking features and connectivity to network or USB peripherals enable sharing.
Mount mode is for permanently installing an iPad in a fixed location, always charging and connected, enabling continuous operation with support for hardwired power, network and USB peripheral integration.
Mobile mode is for using the iPad or iPhone on the go, protected by cases that enhance mobility without sacrificing style or function. Accessories include straps, stands, payment devices and scanners.
Kiosk Information Systems
Kiosk Information Systems, a provider of interactive, AI enabled and self-service digital smart boards for retail, hospitality and healthcare environments, highlighted its recent partnership with AOPEN, a provider of commercial grade computing, to integrate industrial-grade computing into its self-service kiosks to eliminate downtime and reduce infection risks with fanless technology.
The AOPEN industrial grade computing engine serves as a fortified clinical asset offering users an intuitive interface. In addition, the commercial grade hardware operates 24/7 to ensure seamless user experiences that flow without fatigue from consumer grade devices.
In addition, the AOPEN fanless thermal design inside every kiosk enclosure means no circulating dust or pathogens, a mandatory standard for sterile hospital environments.
The units are designed and manufactured in the United States, supporting secure, HIPAA-compliant and ADA-compliant deployments.
The solution also features integration with electronic health record systems like Epic, Cerner, and Meditech, as well as AI-augmented, touchless control, including outdoor high-brightness displays for wayfinding.
The company also demonstrated its KNECT IoT, a remote monitoring application for real-time visibility of an unattended kiosk.
Kontron
Kontron, an IoT equipment manufacturer that has partnered with medical OEMs, performed a live, remote robotic surgery utilizing an AI-powered bedside patient monitoring technology from MedAcuity, a medical device consulting and engineering firm. The teleoperation can enable a doctor in a remote location to conduct an extensive operation.
The demo showcased AI-powered bedside patient monitoring using Kontron’s K4021-mTX motherboard. The companies have teamed to provide software engineering, AI capabilities and embedded computing platforms for healthcare, robotics and medical device manufacturers.
Kontron has provided patient diagnostic imaging such as CT, MR, ultrasound and X-Ray equipment; clinical care including patient monitoring, ventilation, anesthesia, analyzer, laboratory and point-of care equipment; therapy including radiotherapy, linear accelerators and dialysis equipment; and surgical, including “in situ” devices and surgical consoles.
According to Kontron’s website, the company provides connectivity and intelligence for digital healthcare applications, including the Kontron MediClientPanel PC based on Intel Core and Intel Celeron processors.
The MediClient Panel PC is designed to adhere to international standards for safety with interoperability based on service oriented device connectivity (SDC) architecture.
Lenovo
Lenovo, a technology provider, demonstrated its AI-assisted diagnostic guidance, digital microsopy, digital pathology and AR/VR solutions for healthcare.
The company demonstrated its Thinkpad Rollable XD laptop concept, featuring a 16-inch flexible OLED display housed in the lid, not in the base, which rolls vertically to allow for a 13.3-inch standard size extending to about 16 inches.
The screen wraps around the top edge of the lid, allowing for a “world facing” display when the laptop is closed. The display is protected by a 180-degree Corning Gorilla Glass Victus cover.
The device features a “Swipe to X” touch gestures to control expansion.
The company also demonstrated the Insight Touch 21-inch Medical AIO, which is 60601-1 certified for clinical environments, and the NZ Technologies’ HoverTap touchless screens for sterile environments.
Livemed
Livemed, a nationwide network of board certified medical specialists that provide telemedicine services, discussed its services to the health care industry.
Benefits include reduced transfers, faster access to specialists, support for admissions to retain patients locally, ICU decision making support and scalable support across facilities. The network offers the following benefits:
Automatic, real-time coordination across departments and facilities.
One unified view aggregating data across the hospitals.
AI prioritization of cases.
HIPAA compliant communication built specifically for healthcare teams.
Universal integration of EMR platforms, including live dashboards surfacing operational insights and clinical metrics when needed.
The network utilizes virtualis intelligent medicine, which features AI prioritized triage and state-of-the-art medical technology, including PTZ medical care camera, Elo TOuch screen display, 10-15 hour rechargeable battery, hospital grade lockable rubber wheels and chat enabled tablet integration.
Meditech Greenfield Workspace
Meditech Greenfield Workspace described its open space for vendors to test API integration with its Expanse electronic health record, which streamlines work for clinicians and boosts patient engagement. The company has expanded its Expanse AI portfolio to further improve clinician experiences, empower patients and maximize financial performance.
Meditech has extended its support for ambient listening by integrating its native ambient intelligent solutions within the workflows of the Expanse Now mobile app for physicians and the Expanse Point of Care app for nurses.
These fully integrated solutions reduce documentation burden by capturing conversations in real time, automatically generating clinic visit notes and inpatient assessments, and queuing next steps in workflow.
The native nursing ambient intelligence solution enables more face time with patients by automatically parsing patient interactions directly into the appropriate assessments, which can then be reviewed and edited before filing. Nurses are prompted with an up-to-date checklist of documentation status to ensure all components of an assessment are complete, and will be able to query for key information to receive timely suggestions for care.
The company has also introduced a “MyHealth” assistant and an “Ask Expanse” forum.
Rural hospitals having joined the group represent more than 250 rural sites operating the web and cloud native platform.
Mindray North America
Mindray North America, a developer of healthcare technologies and solutions specializing in inpatient monitoring, anesthesia and ultrasound, introduced its TE Air e5M wireless handheld ulstrasound device. The whole-body scanning solution meets the needs of healthcare professionals in primary care, acute care, remote medicine and educational settings.
The one-click optimization instantly adjusts the image parameters with a single click to deliver optimal image quality, while the auto preset adjustment automatically detects the anatomical structure being scanned and simplifies the scanning process.
The more than 20 dedicated presets include abdomen, musculoskeletal, small parts, vascular and adult cardiac, and OB/GYN.
An intuitive user interface supports one-hand operation.
On-board patient data management solutions provided connected patient care.
The solution offers up to 120 minutes of mixed use scanning and supports 35 minutes fast charging from zero to 90%.
The TE Air 5M can be fully enclosed with a sterile probe cover to prevent contamination.
Modernsold
Modernsold, a manufacturer of ergonomic products for workspace, healthcare, industrial, education and public spaces, activated its electric wall-mounted medical workstation for hospital and clinical environments. The workstation is designed to enhance workflow and ergonomics with seamless on-touch operation. Features include:
One-touch electric height adjustment.
Smooth and quiet vertical movement.
Space-saving wall-mounted design.
Ergonomic support to reduce caregiver strain.
Bedside infotainment mounting solutions feature flexible systems, including a medical monitor arm for beds, a medical wall mount arm for small PCs and tablets, a medical bedside tablet arm and an overbedtable.
The company’s Otto e-lift workstation features an electric wall-mounted workstation with an electric height adjustable system to allow effortless up and down movement with one touch. The workstation eliminates the need for mobile computer carts.
MSI
MSI, a manufacturer of laptops, desktops and all-in-one PCs, demonstrated hardware offerings for the healthcare sector. The desktops offer built-in AI acceleration, compact and VESA mountability, multiple display support, secure dual Ethernet ports and customizable configuration.
The company recommends its Cubi NUC , DP10 and DP21 desktops for emergency and clinical stations, supporting patient intake and electronic health record access, real-time clinical decision support and care coordination dashboards.
For radiology and imaging, it recommends its DP80, DP180 and DP400 desktops, supporting diagnostic image review (X-ray, CT and MRI), multi monitor reading environments and AI assisted imaging workflow.
For patient room and digital care, the company recommends its Cubi NUC, DP10 and DP21 desktops to support bedside chart access, patient education and discharge guidance and in-room communication systems.
For hospital administration, the company recommends its Cubi NUC, DP10 and DP21 desktops to support scheduling, billing and records management; staff coordination and reporting; and secure access to hospital systems.
Nihon Kohden America
Nihon Kohden America, a manufacturer of medical electronic equipment, highlighted its digital health platform, offering AI driven software for clinical decision making,
The company’s AlarmSense solution transforms raw alarm data to actionable intelligence, from hospitalwide patterns down to individual patient insights. Built on the company’s cloud platform, the solution tracks notifications across multiple units and analyzes up to 90 days of trends and adjusting for outliers caused by high risk patients.
The company’s RemoteSense solution offers remote patient monitoring to help healthcare providers respond to staffing shortages while maintaining patient care. The solution addresses healthcare challenges by offering monitoring for patients across multiple locations, streamlined documentation through electronic medical record integration, and 24-hour vital signs and waveforms for improved clinical decision-making.
NZ Technologies
NZ Technologies, a manufacturer of human machine interface platforms, presented its HoverTap MD and TIPSO Airpad for medical use at the KMA (Kiosk Manufacturer Association) exhibit.
HoverTap MD, a touch-free technology, enables contactless screens for clinical interfaces. The AI enabled technology utilizes a proprietary capacitive sensor to detect finger positions in 3D space, eliminating the need for a camera. It enables intuitive touch-free controls like finger-taps and air swipes above surfaces such as touchscreens or physical buttons.
The handheld interface for bedside image navigation features a 120mm proximity 3D detection range and a 30-50mm 3D detection actuation range.
HoverTap MD enables healthcare professionals to access and input information through the devices seamlessly even with the use of sterile drapes and gloves. This not only enhances efficiency but also reduces the risk of cross-contamination, ultimately improving both patient care and clinical workflows.
HoverTap MD is agnostic to sterile gloves and drapes to enable touch-free screen interactions directly by the patient bedside. It provides instantaneous feedback and an intuitive user interface to facilitate a superior user experience.
The company’s TIPSO Airpad offers a wireless, portable interface for image navigation inside a sterile field. The palm-sized solution enables touchless finger movements over the sensing surface, supporting the activation of a routine set of controls to interact with procedural imaging.
The physician can activate commands by performing finger twirls and swipes over the device, eliminating the need for awkward limb movements or learned hand gestures. Functionality covers all routine imaging controls, including scroll, zoom, pan, window/level and rotation.
The TIPSO Airpad enables over-the-drape controls for physicians to navigate and manipulate the live and historical imaging records.
By connecting the USB dongle to the workstation and setting up a wireless router for WIFI communications, the TIPSO Airpad can wirelessly control radiology images on the chosen workstation. While not all operating rooms have a designated control room, an area is always designated for non-sterile access to a computer workstation.
Olea Kiosks Inc.
Olea Kiosks Inc., a kiosk manufacturer, reviewed its partnerships with meldCX, Lifemed Gateway, Intel and Dell Technologies for its patient check-in kiosks.
The meldCX smart device management software enables real-time monitoring, over-the-air updates, plug-and-play peripheral integration, and built-in self-recovery features to help keep kiosks up and running with minimal IT intervention.
Faster check-ins reduce wait times and free up staff for higher-priority tasks.
In addition, enterprise-grade security enabled by meldCX’s software to ensure compliance with regulations like PCI-DSS Level 1 and GDPR.
Lifemed Gateway’s check-in software enables exception based workflows, allowing routine intake and verification tasks to be handled automatically so teams can focus on more complex patient needs.
Solutions powered by Intel processing and supported by platforms like Dell Technologies help ensure the security, reliability and performance.
Optum
Optum, a UnitedHealth Group health care provider organization, highlighted its AI powered solutions designed to connect care across providers, payers and patients.
The company presented its Value Connect, an AI powered platform that connects payers and providers. By connecting clinical, financial and operational data in real time, it is designed to streamline clinical workflows and help optimize administrative strategy.
The company also provided information about its clinical analytics platform, Crimson AI, designed to improve operating room utilization and operations by using predictive analytics. The company reports the technology can deliver a 13-to-1 return on investment for health care providers by optimizing operating room schedules, reducing staffing costs and minimizing surgical supply waste.
The platform uses GPT-based technology to surface real-time insights for providers to eliminate the need for manual data mining while featuring a conversational interface to enhance decision making.
Oracle Health
Oracle Health, a provider of health information technology, showcased how AI is being integrated into cloud applications to address operational and clinical challenges in health and life sciences with its AI powered electronic health record.
The company’s electronic health record helps clinicians enhance care quality with AI-fueled intelligence that is contextual and conversational. Instead of drowning in a sea of screens and clicks, clinicians can simply use voice commands to ask for the information they need, such as a patient’s recent lab results and current medications.
Designed in partnership with providers, this voice-first solution is reimagining care by empowering clinicians with personalized, streamlined workflows that help keep them informed and in control while cutting administrative busywork.
Oracle is also promoting its new, vendor-agnostic validation framework designed to standardize, secure and streamline connectivity for medical devices.
Padholder
Padholder, a maker of tablet and mobile device enclosures, mounts and stands that integrate with business environments, demonstrated its tablet mounting solutions for healthcare environments.
The company’s check-in kiosks, bedside mounts, wall mounts, carts and floor stands are designed to optimize the electronic health record experience for mobile workflows.
The company’s purpose built carts offer language access, video remote interpreting and clinical communication workflows.
Hospitals use interpreting carts for providing instant, on-demand video remote interpretation, reducing waiting times for in-person interpreters and eliminating language barriers in emergency and clinical workflows.
The carts also feature an anti-tip medical grade base, hidden cable routing and a modular mounting system for workflow that supports iPad, Surface and Samsung tablets.
Cart accessories include a VESA tilt arm, a single articulating arm, a dual articulating arm, a basket, a tray, a wipe holder and a handle.
Pioneer Solution Inc.
Pioneer Solution Inc., a maker of medical touchscreen computers, introduced its Vantage Vitals cart, an 18-inch mobile touchscreen computer on a cart with a vitals essentials kit. The configurable cart is designed to automate the capture, collection and documentation of patient vitals gathered at bedside.
The cart comes paired with Bluetooth diagnostic devices for blood pressure, pulse oximeter, thermometer and more.
It features a keyboard tray, storage bin, two hot swappable batteries, a 4-bay battery charger, a washable keyboard and mouse, a camera, a bracket and a power cable for the company’s CT18M mobile touchscreen computer.
The CT18M mobile touchscreen computer has an optional embedded privacy filter and can be wall or desk mounted.
PLS
PLS, which stands for Professional Label Solutions, reviewed its managed service provider services for the healthcare industry. An authorized partner for Zebra Technologies, ELO Touch, HP Retail and Star Micronics, the company resells mobility, barcode and healthcare solutions, including printers, printer media, software and accessories.
Hardware manufacturer partners also include POSBank, Touch Dynamic, Epson, Honeywell, Datalogic, MicroTouch, Havis, Lenovo, Microsoft, Samsung, Fortinet, Cisco Meraki and HP.
PLS assists healthcare organizations in the following ways:
Staying HIPAA compliant.
Managing Office 365 accounts.
Managing healthcare IT infrastructure.
Providing cybersecurity solutions.
Providing procurement, installation and long-term support for IT hardware and accessories.
Samsung Electronics America
Samsung Electronics America demonstrated how its healthcare technology solutions optimize operations, empower care teams and put patients at the center of care across different environments.
On the first day of the HIMSS show, b.well Connected Health and Samsung Electronics announced a partnership aligned with the federal “Kill the Clipboard” initiative — a nationwide effort led by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to modernize healthcare by eliminating repetitive forms and giving patients direct control of their medical data. The federal initiative aims to ensure medical information follows the patient, not the provider.
The Samsung/b.well collaboration helps move healthcare interoperability from policy to practice. Instead of health records being locked inside hospitals, patients will be able to carry their electronic health record data through b.well, wherever they go.
Samsung Galaxy smartphone users can securely access their complete health history, understand it in plain language, and share it with participating providers instantly — from the health records feature via the Samsung Health app.
The Samsung/b.well collaboration demonstrates what the future can look like in everyday life: no repeating forms at every visit, no guessing medication lists, no waiting weeks for records and no juggling multiple patient portals. Patients simply choose to share their verified data when care is needed.
Consumers can also understand their records through conversational AI grounded in their verified clinical history, translating complex medical language into everyday explanations.
Unlike device-centric health platforms that require hospital-by-hospital integrations, Samsung’s open ecosystem connects consumer devices directly into clinical workflows using national standards.
Health data can move securely into electronic medical records without manual entry, reducing administrative burden for providers and patients alike.
Soundhound AI
Soundhound AI, a provider of voice enabled, conversational AI, offered AI tools that reduce administrative burden, improve patient experience and streamline operations for healthcare organizations.
The company’s Amelia 7 AI masters the art of dialogue with voice AI, generative AI, and agentic reasoning to deliver experiences patients and staff never expected from healthcare. Amelia comes with customizable AI agent frameworks for healthcare, enabling facilities to build and deploy agents that schedule appointments, provide medication reminders, deliver health information and more.
Ameila is interoperable with electronic health records and integrates with business critical systems, taking action on behalf of patients, members and employees.
For diagnostic tests, Amelia helps patients find appointment slots, verify order details, schedule tests, complete pre-test questionnaires and confirm their preferences.
Amelia makes it easy to pay medical bills. Patients interact with healthcare AI agents that retrieve outstanding balances, explain charges, process payments, set up payment plans, and more.
Amelia fully handles patient requests for Rx refills — verifying patient identity, checking eligibility, submitting requests to the pharmacy or EHR and giving status updates.
Storm Interface/Vispero
Storm Interface, a manufacturer of keypads, keyboards, pin entry devices, displays and access controls, explained how its assistive hardware integrates with JAWS Kiosk software to create an ADA compliant and user friendly experience for patients at the KMA (Kiosk Manufacturer Association) exhibit.
Storm Interface’s AudioNav is an ADA compliant assistive USB device offering menu navigation by means of audible content description. Users with impaired vision, reading difficulties or impaired motor skills can navigate through menus or directories that would typically be presented on a visual display or touch screen.
Screen content is represented and summarized by recorded or synthesized language via a headset or handset.
AudioNav provides a tactile/audio interface for any accessible self-service application. The externally mounted version of the AudioNav provides options for manufacturers and operators to permanently affix an AudioNav device to the outer casing of a host terminal or to adjacent surfaces such as walls or service counters.
An optional quick release cradle allows the AudioNav to be detached from the host system for use as a hand-held device. In this hand-held configuration AudioNav can, if required, be passed directly to any user with limited reach or impaired dexterity.
Used in combination with SpacePole products, this externally mounted version of the AudioNav can be conveniently positioned and adjusted to ensure maximum accessibility.
AudioNav integrates with Vispero’s JAWS for Kiosk screen reader software that converts on-screen text and controls into speech and Braille, enabling people who are blind or have low vision to navigate websites, documents and Windows applications efficiently and independently.
Teguar
Teguar, a manufacturer of medical computers, unveiled several touchscreen computers.
The Horizon 18.5-inch industrial touchscreen computer is powered by Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 125U, which brings 12 cores for strong multitasking and a built-in neural processing unit, an AI accelerator for machine vision and AI projects. Features include DDR5 RAM, aluminum fanless build and Wi-Fi antenna, while options include a 5MP camera and 2D scanner.
The TIM-3937-22 features a powerful 11th generation Intel Core Tiger Lake i5/i7 processor capable of running Windows 11. The front is IP65 rated with medical grade, anti-bacterial coated plastic to withstand spills, sprays and repeated wipe downs with cleaning chemicals. The fanless cooling system allows quiet operation and prevents the spread of dust and germs. For easy integration with other medical devices, the unit comes standard fully packed with WiFi 6 BT 5.2, a front camera and an I/O. Healthcare personnel can switch rooms without having to power down the computer or use a heavy battery powered cart, thanks to an optional battery pack that provides about two hours of power.
The Prism Healthcare Tablet TMTF-7465-13 displays on a PCAP touchscreen while the 13-inch screen boasts a brightness of 1,000 units, making it readable in sunlight or under bright operating room lights. The antimicrobial enclosure, equipped with a carry handle, houses a magnesium chassis, which provides greater strength at a lighter weight than aluminum. In addition, the accessible backside bay allows for hot swapping the battery without interrupting use.
The TMT-5957-13 medical tablet offers a 13.3-inch screen coupled with a lightweight frame weighing less than 4 lbs. The unit features the processing power of an 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake CPU plus a drop rating of 6 feet at any angle. The custom docking station accessory allows the tablet to be easily docked for charging. If mobility is not a priority, the TMT-5957-13 can function as a panel PC alternative when paired with the custom VESA mounting bracket accessory.
Topaz Systems
Topaz Systems, a manufacturer of electronic signature hardware and software, displayed its GemView 10 Tablet Display which provides all the display advantages of a high-performance tablet without IT drawbacks.
With its half-page, 10.1-inch high resolution display and electronic pen, the GemView 10 allows for signing documents, playing videos, running ads and more. Features include:
Sleek, thin tablet design.
Half-page TFT LCD display.
GemGuard antimicrobial pen.
Kensington mounting slots and standard VESA mounts.
Bundled with Topaz software solutions.
Signature seen on both the tablet display and computer screen.
Ultralife Corporation
Ultralife Corporation, which provides medical cart batteries, introduced its X5-SuperLite for pole/mobile carts and devices that only require USB-C power. Hospitals can now use the same bank of batteries for all their carts, removing worries about battery compatibility while reducing costs.
The X5-SuperLite utilizes one battery to power up to two USB-C compatible devices simultaneously. These can be laptops or tablet computers, such as iPads, commonly used for patient record keeping.
When carts need to power more than two devices simultaneously, another X5-SuperLite can be attached to the cart. Both chargers can then be connected to an optional state-of-charge indicator that displays the remaining run-time of each battery, based on existing load.
Both the X5-SuperLite and the X5 Power System have been designed to provide uninterruptible power. At any time during or after cart use, users can plug the power solutions into AC mains to charge batteries.
When AC mains are unavailable or inconvenient, Ultralife has designed hold-up batteries for both the X5 Power System (as standard) and X5-SuperLite (optional) that can provide up to five minutes of power.
Ultralife Corporation developed the X5 series in collaboration with Karta Healthcare so that it would be compatible with that company’s medical carts that feature a nesting design.
Ultralife also demonstrated its hot swappable 12.8V, 276.5 Wh battery that is compatible with both its X5 power system for large carts and devices that require 120VAC.
Zagg Mophie
Mophie, a Zagg brand focused on mobile power solutions, activated its power charging stations for health care environments.
The company also introduced its iPhone cases, iPad folio covers, AirTag accessories and cases for MacBook.
Mophie’s Check Case and Optical Check Case designed for the new iPhone 17 models feature a microsuede interior that cushions the device and raised camera rings that help prevent scratches. The cases are MagSafe-compatible and include an integrated sapphire glass camera control button for responsive, precise photo capture.
The Fabric Knit Case offers a premium fabric exterior made from AeroKnit material and features metallic accents, a soft microsuede interior and MagSafe compatibility.
The Knit Folio Tablet Case for iPad Air and iPad Pro features Mophie’s signature knit cover that folds into a stand for viewing, streaming or typing. A transparent backplate protects the device while showcasing its design, and a magnetic closure secures and accommodates an Apple Pencil while allowing it to charge.
The Knit Loop Case features a twist-and-lock installation, an integrated lanyard loop, and interchangeable colored ID bands to help users identify multiple AirTag devices at a glance.
The Knit Puck Case offers a screw-lock design for security and interchangeable colored ID bands.
The Slim Hardshell Case for MacBook is a lightweight two-piece protective case that snaps securely onto compatible MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
Zebra Technologies Corp.
Zebra Technologies Corp., a provider of automation solutions, introduced its Orchestrated Care framework to transform healthcare operations, including mobile computers, scanners, printers, touchscreen displays, RFID and real-time location solutions and software.
The company’s DS82-GC Series scanner features a sealed design to help eliminate microbial build up and the spread of bacteria with disinfectant-ready plastics, a sealed inductive trigger, anti-microbial labels and contactless charging.
With a scanner that accurately captures virtually any 1D or 2D barcode and a multi-function button enabling clinicians to quickly switch between applications, the device streamlines workflows. And with four days of battery life and swappable power sources, clinicians can expect less interruptions during patient rounds.
The company also presented information about how Texas Children’s Hospital co-created an RFID powered solution with Zebra and one of its ISV partners, Tecsys, to track and reduce the waste of medications.
By equipping its high-dollar satellite pharmacy with Zebra DS9908R hybrid scanners and ZD621R desktop printers, the hospital transformed the tedious tagging process into a fast workflow. Staff used the scanners to instantly scan each medication’s barcode. Tecsys’ solution then connected the data captured with the printers, which generated an RFID label ready to be affixed to every medication worth more than $250.
What once took two minutes of a pharmacist’s time per item now takes just seven seconds. The process also shifted tagging from pharmacists to technicians, freeing clinical experts to focus on patient care.
Once items are tagged, they can be located instantly on the shelves with Zebra HC50 mobile computers paired with RFD40 UHF RFID sleds. All of this connects through Tecsys middleware, so product, dose, and location are verified automatically in real time.
The hospital also introduced Zebra reusable RFID tags tucked inside 3D-printed boxes. Each box holds the RFID tag along with the medication, creating a self-contained unit with much higher read rates than traditional solutions, even for liquid medication.
Media Gallery
Lesly Gonzalez presents the Zebra Technologies electronic health records workstation with a 43-inch Elo display screen.
James Pope presents the X5-SuperLite solution at the Ultralife Corporation exhibit.
Tom Scott presents the GemView 10 Tablet Display at the Topaz Systems exhibit.
Matt Nadolny presents medical PCs at the Teguar exhibit.
Nicky Shaw of Storm Interface presents the Vispero JAWS for Kiosk software for medical use at the KMA (Kiosk Manufacturer Association) exhibit.
Reed Gabrielsen presents the conversational AI for healthcare at the Soundhound AI exhibit.
Tony Morela describes how Samsung healthcare technology solutions optimize operations, empower care teams and put patients at the center of care across different environments.
Cory Stacy presents managed service provider services at the PLS exhibit.
Kenneth Yoo shows the Vantage Vitals cart at the Pioneer Solution exhibit.
Phil Sobol of CereCare, a manufacturer of postoperative compression garments, explores healthcare solutions at the Padholder exhibit.
Caitlin Williams presents information about Oracle’s AI-fueled intelligence that is contextual and conversational.
Attendees converged on the Optum exhibit to learn about AI powered solutions designed to connect care across providers, payers and patients.
Bill Nulf and John Dittig of MicroTouch join Daniel Olea at the Olea Kiosks exhibit.
Pranav Saxena and Nima Ziraknejad present the HoverTap MD and the TIPSO Airpad touchless medical technologies at the KMA (Kiosk Manufacturer Association) exhibit.
Elizabeth Budi presents the digital health platform at the Nihon Kohden America exhibit.
Hao Yu shows the Cubi NUC desktop at the MSI exhibit.
Tina Wilder presents a power charging station at the Zagg Mophie exhibit.
Sunny Wong presents the electric wall-mounted medical workstation at the Modernsold exhibit.
Juan Pablo Miranda presents the TE Air e5M wireless handheld ultrasound device at the Mindray North America exhibit.
Kate Silvia introduces attendees to the Meditech Expanse AI portfolio.
Jonathan Goldberg and Saamer Siddiqi present Livemed, a nationwide network of board certified medical specialists that provide telemedicine services.
Amy Rosenthal demonstrates the Thinkpad Rollable XD laptop concept at the Lenovo exhibit.
Jim Roman of MedAcuity presents a live, remote surgery at the Kontron exhibit.
Joe Sawicki and Diego Pulido present AI enabled and self-service digital smart boards to drive engagement at the Kiosk Information Systems exhibit.
Rachel Wu at Insight Touch presents touch all-in-one PCS at the KMA (Kiosk Manufacturer Association) exhibit.
Kristen Sacky introduces attendees to Imprivata Agentic identity management at the Imprivata exhibit.
Paton Marshall presents device management solutions at the IPORT exhibit.
Attendees converge at the Hyland exhibit to learn about the company’s generative AI tools.
Chris Marker presents the Hi-Care Pro at the Howard Med Technologies Solutions exhibit.
Kalpit Vadnerkar demonstrates the SwiftCount pill count solution for counting and receiving multiple pills simultaneously at the Honeywell Industrial Automation exhibit.
Joseph Coffia presents the Hitekon bedside terminals and tablets.
Sonam Sodhi introduces attendees to HealthAsyst consulting services.
Chelsea Hogan presents hospital digital signage solutions at the Hatchmed exhibit.
Alyssa Ellis and Ron Elliott present the Connect EZ WS at the Digi International exhibit.
Kaleb Kuenther presents medical imaging at the Dell Technologies/Intel exhibit.
Kelly Haarmann demonstrates scanners and mobile computers at the Datalogic exhibit.
Christopher Lynch presents the CyberMed G24/G248 Gen 2 24-inch medical panel PC at the Cybernet exhibit.
Kerri Arlesic and Veronica Lee of Ellkay, a healthcare data management software provider, visit the Clear exhibit.
Mitchell Gorodokin presents provider data management solutions at the CertifyOS exhibit.
Kali Chithambaram presents an AI avatar as part of the “intelligent value model for AI” at the CDW Healthcare exhibit.
Louis Rosner of Boca Systems presents RFID wristband and badge printers for healthcare at the KMA (Kiosk Manufacturer Association) exhibit.
Dexter Littlefield presents the Connex 360 vital signs monitor at the Baxter International exhibit.
Seamus Shu presents a medical panel PC for healthcare applications at the Axiomtek Co. Ltd. exhibit.
Christina Brown presents the virtual care platform at the Avasure exhibit.
Amy Roberts presents the athenaOne ecosystem at the athenahealth exhibit.
Kyle Zerkle presents the ClioConnect IoT platform to improve workflow and increase uptime for clinical and IT teams at the Altus exhibit.
Hamilton Yeager presents a display monitor demonstrating the use of AI in surgery at the Advantech exhibit.
Michael Dennison presents ChromeOS Enterprise healthcare solutions at the Acer exhibit.
China’s upcoming Five-Year Plan (2026–2030)marks a decisive shift in the global technology landscape. Rather than focusing primarily on economic growth, Beijing is doubling down on technological sovereignty and industrial independence, particularly in hardware sectors such as semiconductors, AI accelerators, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
For global hardware vendors—and for industries that rely heavily on embedded computing, displays, and edge devices—this policy framework could reshape supply chains and competitive dynamics over the next decade.
Opinion from Investor — The US tends to be ad hoc reactionary when it comes to policy and law and incentives. Plus the current administration seems to discourage new technology (solar, EV). With the added stimulus of a war in Middle East changes in Asia must be expected. While the energy disruption will be a headache for China they will most likely double down on accelerating all forms of technology and energy. Now is their best opportunity given confusion in DC. Fossil/old tech basis will lose to Renewable/New Tech eventually. I’m afraid DC is too simplistic and optimistic without a firm foundational basis. I come from Oil and Gas industry myself.
From “World’s Factory” to Innovation Powerhouse
China’s economic strategy is evolving. The country is attempting to transition from low-cost manufacturing to high-value innovation-driven growthby 2030.
The 15th Five-Year Plan is the primary policy instrument for that transformation. It coordinates investment, subsidies, and regulation across multiple strategic sectors.
Key objectives include:
Achieving scientific and technological self-reliance
Upgrading traditional manufacturing into advanced digital industries
Reducing dependence on foreign technology suppliers
Strengthening domestic supply chains
These priorities are driven partly by geopolitical pressures, including export controls and technology restrictions imposed by the United States and its allies.
As a result, Beijing is shifting policy from “innovation discovery” to “innovation deployment”—meaning the emphasis is no longer just research breakthroughs but mass commercialization of domestic technology.
Massive Investment in Technology Infrastructure
The scale of China’s investment push is enormous.
Key figures already emerging from policy announcements include:
R&D spending target:more than 7% annual growthduring the plan period
Total R&D spending:roughly $570 billion annually (2025 levels)
Basic research funding:nearly 280 billion yuan ($40+ billion)annually
Infrastructure investment:about 7 trillion yuan ($1 trillion) in AI computing and power grid infrastructure
These figures place China among the world’s largest technology investors, rivaling or surpassing many Western economies in public industrial policy.
The government is also expanding specialized investment funds. One semiconductor fund alone—known as the “Big Fund”—has injected tens of billions into domestic chip companies to accelerate development of critical technologies.
Hardware Independence Is the Strategic Goal
At the center of the 15th Five-Year Plan is a push for hardware sovereignty.
China’s leadership has identified several “core technologies” that must be domestically controlled:
Semiconductors
China is investing heavily in chip fabrication and equipment manufacturing. The country aims to dramatically expand advanced chip production capacity, with some projections targeting 500,000 monthly wafer starts at advanced nodes by 2030.
Domestic chipmakers such as SMIC and Hua Hongare expanding capabilities, while equipment firms like Naura and AMECare developing alternatives to Western tools.
Artificial Intelligence Hardware
AI processors and accelerators are another priority area. Huawei, for example, is building large-scale AI computing clusters powered by domestic Ascend AI chipsin an effort to compete with U.S. systems built around Nvidia GPUs.
Industrial Automation
Robotics and automated manufacturing are expected to expand rapidly as China addresses labor shortages and productivity goals.
Advanced Materials and Machine Tools
The plan also prioritizes high-end instruments, industrial software, and advanced materials to complete domestic supply chains.
Policy Tools: Subsidies, Standards, and Domestic Substitution
Beijing’s approach combines several mechanisms:
1. State Investment
Government funding supports both startups and large national champions.
2. Domestic Procurement Rules
In some sectors, regulators are pushing manufacturers to use domestic equipment whenever possible, encouraging substitution away from foreign suppliers.
3. National Standards
China is also working to shape global technology standards in emerging fields such as AI infrastructure, smart manufacturing, and data governance.
These policies collectively create an ecosystem designed to scale domestic technology quickly, even when it initially lags global competitors.
Implications for Global Hardware Vendors
The push for technological self-reliance has major implications for international companies.
Shrinking Market Access
Foreign vendors may face increasing pressure as Chinese firms are prioritized in government procurement and strategic industries.
New Competitors
Chinese companies are rapidly improving capabilities in:
industrial PCs
embedded computing
AI accelerators
robotics
display manufacturing
Fragmentation of Global Supply Chains
Technology supply chains could become increasingly regionalized, with separate ecosystems emerging in China, the United States, and Europe.
This shift is already visible in semiconductors, where export controls and industrial subsidies are driving a global race to localize production.
What It Means for Self-Service Hardware
For industries such as kiosks, digital signage, and unattended retail, China’s strategy could have several effects.
More Domestic Edge Computing Platforms
Chinese vendors are likely to expand production of mini-PCs, ARM edge processors, and AI modules designed for retail and public infrastructure.
Lower-Cost Hardware Ecosystems
Mass domestic production could drive down prices for components such as displays, touchscreens, and embedded processors.
Faster AI Integration
Edge AI hardware developed under the plan may accelerate adoption of:
computer vision
automated checkout
facial authentication
voice-enabled interfaces
In other words, the same industrial policy shaping semiconductors and robotics may also influence the next generation of self-service hardware platforms.
The Global Tech Competition Era
China’s Five-Year Plan represents more than economic policy—it is part of a broader global technology competition.
Beijing’s strategy is clear: build a complete domestic ecosystem capable of designing, manufacturing, and deploying advanced technology without relying on foreign suppliers.
For the rest of the world, the implications are significant. The coming decade may see parallel technology ecosystemsemerge across major geopolitical blocs.
Hardware industries—from semiconductors to kiosks—are likely to be at the center of that transformation.
1. Global Hardware Competition Snapshot
One of the most important implications of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan is the acceleration of domestic alternatives to Western technology vendors. In several hardware sectors, Chinese firms are already becoming competitive.
One of the most important implications of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan is the acceleration of domestic alternatives to Western technology vendors. In several hardware sectors, Chinese firms are already becoming competitive.
China already dominates display panel manufacturing, which is a critical component for:
kiosks
digital signage
POS terminals
self-checkout
Companies like BOE and TCL CSOT now control more than half of global LCD production capacity, giving China a structural advantage in hardware ecosystems that depend on screens.
China’s Five-Year Plan did not emerge in isolation. It is part of a decade-long push toward technology independence.
Key Milestones
2015 – Made in China 2025
China launches its industrial policy to upgrade manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign technology.
2019 – U.S. Technology Restrictions
Export controls on Huawei and other companies accelerate China’s push for domestic alternatives.
2020 – Dual Circulation Strategy
Beijing prioritizes domestic innovation and internal supply chains to reduce external vulnerabilities.
2021–2025 – 14th Five-Year Plan
Major investments in AI, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.
2026–2030 – 15th Five-Year Plan
Focus shifts to:
technological self-reliance
domestic chip ecosystems
AI computing infrastructure
robotics and industrial automation
This phase emphasizes scaling domestic technology deployment, not just research.
3. Why This Matters for Self-Service and Kiosk Hardware
For the self-service technology sector, China’s policy push could reshape the underlying hardware stack.
Three Likely Changes
1. Expansion of Chinese Edge Computing Platforms
Domestic mini-PC and embedded computing ecosystems are expected to grow rapidly, including:
ARM-based processors
AI accelerators
industrial edge servers
These systems could compete with platforms from Intel, AMD, and Nvidia.
2. Lower Hardware Costs
China’s manufacturing scale may reduce prices for:
touchscreens
LCD panels
kiosk enclosures
embedded motherboards
This could accelerate global deployment of self-service infrastructure.
3. Faster AI Integration in Physical Retail
Government investment in AI hardware could accelerate technologies used in kiosks and unattended retail, including:
computer vision checkout
facial recognition authentication
voice ordering systems
automated retail analytics
China is already deploying these technologies at scale in airports, hospitals, and transportation hubs.
Strategic Takeaway
China’sFive-Year Plan is not simply an economic roadmap. It is a coordinated effort to build a fully domestic technology ecosystemcapable of competing with Western hardware platforms.
For global technology markets, this could lead to:
stronger Chinese hardware competitors
increased supply-chain fragmentation
parallel technology ecosystems across geopolitical regions
Industries that rely heavily on embedded computing—including kiosks, digital signage, and unattended retail—are likely to feel these shifts first.
Global Kiosk Hardware Supply Chain Concentration
While software often dominates discussions about digital transformation, the self-service ecosystem is fundamentally hardware-driven. Kiosks, self-checkout terminals, and digital wayfinding systems rely on a layered stack of physical components sourced from multiple regions.
China already plays a major role in several of these layers.
Self-Service Hardware Supply Chain
Hardware Layer
Primary Global Suppliers
China Market Position
LCD Panels / Displays
BOE, TCL CSOT, LG Display, AUO
Global leader in LCD manufacturing
Touchscreens
ELO, Zytronic, TPK, GIS
Strong manufacturing base
Embedded CPUs
Intel, AMD, ARM ecosystem
Growing domestic chip push
Edge AI Modules
Nvidia, Intel, Qualcomm
Huawei, Cambricon emerging
Industrial PCs / Mini PCs
Advantech, AAEON, ASUS
Lenovo, Huawei expanding
Kiosk Enclosures
Olea, Pyramid, Kiosk Information Systems
Large Chinese OEM ecosystem
Payment Hardware
Ingenico, Verifone, NCR
Domestic Chinese alternatives expanding
China’s dominance in display manufacturingis particularly significant. Companies like BOE and TCL CSOTcollectively account for a majority share of global LCD panel production. Because displays are often the single most expensive component in a kiosk, this manufacturing advantage gives China considerable leverage across the self-service hardware ecosystem.
As domestic semiconductor and AI chip capabilities expand under the 15th Five-Year Plan, China could gradually increase its influence across additional layers of the stack.
The Self-Service Hardware Stack
Self-service technology is often discussed as software or AI innovation, but it ultimately rests on a four-layer hardware foundation.
Understanding this stack helps explain why China’s industrial strategy matters to industries like kiosks, digital signage, and unattended retail.
Layer 1: Displays and Interfaces
User interaction begins with:
LCD or OLED panels
touch sensors
industrial glass
enclosure design
China already dominates the global supply of LCD panels used in kiosks and POS terminals.
Layer 2: Embedded Computing
This layer includes the systems that run kiosk applications:
industrial mini PCs
ARM edge processors
embedded motherboards
storage and memory modules
Western suppliers such as Intel and AMD remain dominant here, but Chinese manufacturers are expanding domestic alternatives.
Layer 3: Edge AI Processing
The next generation of kiosks increasingly incorporates AI hardware to enable:
computer vision
biometric authentication
fraud detection
automated checkout
AI accelerators from Nvidia and Intel dominate globally today, but China is investing heavily in alternatives such as Huawei Ascend processors and Cambricon AI chips.
Layer 4: Payments and Security
The final layer enables transactions and compliance:
EMV payment terminals
NFC contactless readers
biometric security modules
identity verification systems
Payment hardware remains heavily regulated and internationally integrated, but domestic Chinese providers are expanding in this space as well.
Strategic Implication for the Self-Service Industry
Taken together, these layers form the hardware backbone of the global self-service economy, which analysts estimate could represent a $150–200 billion technology ecosystemwhen hardware, software, and services are combined.
China’s industrial strategy aims to strengthen domestic capabilities across each of these layers.
If successful, the result may be a parallel hardware ecosystemin which:
Chinese platforms power domestic infrastructure
Western platforms dominate North America and Europe
emerging markets adopt a mix of both
For kiosk manufacturers, integrators, and component suppliers, this shift could reshape component sourcing, pricing, and innovation pathwaysover the next decade.
Services — End-to-end consulting, deployment, and integration for enterprise self-service networks.
Kiosk Hardware — Explore ADA-compliant enclosures, high-nit digital displays, outdoor, peripherals, and enterprise-ready compute engines
Kiosk Software – Software for secure, interactive, and manageable.
Healthcare– Modernizing the patient and staff journey. Discover the hardware and compliance standards.
Edge AI – Eliminate cloud latency and protect data privacy by processing computer vision and natural language locally via NPU-integrated processors and M.2 module retrofits. Save energy dollars and meet PCI DSS better and automatically.
Healthcare kiosks have spent the last decade optimizing the touchscreen experience—better UI design, faster workflows, and mobile-first patient journeys. But a demonstration circulating around HIMSSthis year suggests the next interface layer may eliminate the screen interaction entirely.
teaching AI touchless gesture via robot
Researchers demonstrated a robot designed to teach artificial intelligence how to interpret human gestures. Using cameras and motion tracking, the system observes hand movements, pointing behavior, and body orientation, converting those signals into training data for machine learning models.
The objective is simple but powerful: build systems that can understand what a person intends without requiring them to touch a screen or speak a command.
Why This Matters for Self-Service Kiosks
For anyone deploying patient-facing technology, gesture recognition could become a critical component of the next generation of hospital self-service systems.
Instead of tapping buttons on a kiosk screen, patients might:
Point toward a department to trigger wayfinding directions
Raise a hand to initiate check-in
Use simple gestures to navigate menus
Confirm selections through visual cues rather than touch
These types of interfaces are particularly valuable in healthcare environments where hygiene, accessibility, and ease of useare top priorities.
Touchless interaction was a pandemic-era requirement. Now it is evolving into a design philosophy for hospital digital front doors.
The Technology Stack Behind Gesture Interfaces
Gesture recognition systems rely on a combination of technologies already appearing in kiosk deployments:
Computer Vision Cameras Depth cameras and RGB sensors track movement patterns.
Edge AI Processing Machine learning models analyze motion data locally to avoid latency.
Behavior Classification Models Neural networks translate raw movement into defined commands.
Integration with Kiosk Software Gesture signals map to UI actions such as menu navigation, check-in confirmation, or wayfinding prompts.
As edge processors continue improving—particularly with AI accelerators and NPUs—gesture recognition is becoming practical in embedded kiosk hardwarerather than requiring cloud processing.
Accessibility Benefits
Gesture-based interaction could also help address one of the biggest challenges in kiosk design: universal accessibility.
Many patients struggle with traditional touchscreen workflows due to:
limited mobility
vision impairment
unfamiliarity with digital interfaces
language barriers
Gesture interaction offers an alternative control layer that can work alongside voice AI and traditional touch interfaces, creating a more inclusive patient experience.
The Broader Shift Toward Natural Interfaces
Gesture recognition is part of a larger trend in self-service technology toward natural human-machine interaction.
Three interface layers are rapidly converging:
Voice AI – Conversational ordering and assistance
Computer Vision – Facial recognition and identity verification
Gesture Recognition – Non-verbal control of systems
Together these technologies move kiosks away from rigid menu navigation and toward human-centered interaction models.
For hospitals, this could redefine how patients interact with digital systems across the campus—from check-in and wayfinding to service robots and automated assistance stations.
Watch the Demonstration
The gesture-recognition training robot featured in this discussion is shown in the video and analysis published on PatientKiosk.io.
The self-service industry is entering a phase where interfaces become invisible.
Instead of learning how to operate machines, users will increasingly interact with systems the same way they interact with other humans—through voice, motion, and visual cues.
For kiosk deployers and healthcare IT leaders, the real question is no longer whether touchless interaction will arrive.
It is how quickly natural interfaces will replace the touchscreen as the primary control layer for patient-facing systems.
News Release — LG used the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 2026 in Anaheim to showcase a suite of accessibility‑focused products, led by a new self‑service kiosk that debuted in the U.S.
The kiosk, co‑developed with braille specialist Dot Inc., combines a braille panel, sign‑language video guidance, and a screen reader, and its whole stand height can be adjusted at the push of a button for wheelchair users and shorter customers.
Visually impaired testers said the braille panel makes prices and payment status clearer and more trustworthy than relying on voice prompts alone.
LG also showed ThinQ On AI–linked IoT sensors that provide visual, light‑based alerts for events like doors opening or motion detection, plus an “LG Comfort Kit” and TV features such as voice menu readout, sign‑language menus, and hearing‑aid‑plus‑speaker audio output.
This is LG’s second year at CSUN AT; the company frames its expanding presence as part of its ESG goal of “Better Life for All,” emphasizing inclusive design for people of all ages and abilities.
McDonald’s “First Job Confessional” is a reality TV‑inspired, social‑first campaign that turns order kiosks into confessional booths where people share first‑job stories in exchange for McDonald’s gift cards, both on-site and online. Noted on Marketing Dive
Why this matters:
McDonald’s is quietly showing how a familiar self‑order kiosk can double as a portable content studio and employer‑branding tool, not just a way to take orders. By turning the interface into a “first job” confessional, they’re using kiosk hardware to collect high‑value stories that reinforce the idea that QSR work builds transferable skills, which helps counter the old “McJob” perception. For anyone designing or deploying kiosks, it’s a live example of how the same footprint and UX patterns can be repurposed for recruiting, PR, and social content without inventing entirely new hardware. https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/mcdonalds-first-job-skills-exchange-for-free-meals.html
Timed to National Employee Appreciation Day on March 6, the campaign is built around McDonald’s long-running claim that 1 in 8 Americans have worked for the brand, using that stat as a springboard to celebrate the skills and life lessons gained from early employment. The centerpiece is a mobile confessional booth that looks like a McDonald’s self-order kiosk outfitted with seating and soundproofing; instead of placing an order, participants record a short video about their first job for a chance to receive a 15‑dollar McDonald’s gift card. The booth will tour four U.S. cities—New York, Austin, Pittsburgh and Chicago—with special guests at each stop, starting at New York’s Gansevoort Plaza.
A major emphasis is on social media and digital video. Consumers who cannot visit the booth can post their first‑job stories on Instagram or LinkedIn using the #FirstJobConfessional hashtag, with select videos to be featured on McDonald’s YouTube channel. The brand will also publish man‑on‑the‑street style content and highlight notable “1 in 8ers” met along the tour across its owned social channels, aligning with a broader shift toward social‑first marketing among legacy CPG and luxury brands seeking more authentic connections with younger, digital‑native audiences.
To give the idea reality‑TV credibility, McDonald’s has enlisted “Love Island” personality Olandria Carthen, who appears in a 90‑second launch video alongside a McDonald’s crew member‑turned‑general manager, each describing how early work experiences built transferable skills and opened up long‑term opportunities. The creative concept and PR communications were led by Golin, with paid media handled by Bully Pulpit International and experiential execution by We Are Social, underscoring how multiple specialist agencies are coordinating around a unified social‑centric push.
Strategically, the effort taps into reality TV tropes—especially the emotional confessional segment—recasting them from a venue for drama into a space for career nostalgia and pride in entry‑level work. It also fits a wider QSR trend of using value‑oriented messaging infused with pop culture and nostalgia, as brands increasingly mine reality TV conventions and related fan cultures to stay culturally relevant. The campaign launches as McDonald’s navigates viral criticism of CEO Chris Kempczinski, whose widely shared Instagram video showed him taking an unenthusiastic bite of the new Big Arch item, prompting ridicule and playful jabs from competitors like Burger King and Wendy’s. McDonald’s has attempted to lean into the moment with self‑aware social posts, including an X update telling viewers to “take a bite of our new product,” which has accumulated tens of millions of views, illustrating how the brand is trying to turn a misstep into engagement while pivoting the conversation toward positive first‑job stories.
As we approach HIMSS 2026, the conversation around patient self-service has shifted from “digital novelty” to operational necessity. With widely reported staffing shortages and tighter margins, the question for leadership is no longer if you should deploy self-service, but how to do it without creating new liabilities.
Effective deployment in 2026 requires a focus on two non-negotiable pillars: Section 1557 Regulatory Compliance and Revenue Cycle “Shift Left” (aka getting payment/insurance sorted earlier in the process (at the kiosk) rather than chasing bills later.)
Arrange VIP Meeting at HIMSS 3461
Participants Booth 3461
Fast Facts
When: March 9-12, 2026 (Tue-Thu)
Where: Venetian Expo, Las Vegas
Pass Discount: Use Code BH29KIOS (Save before 2/8/26)
What’s the best EHR for a small practice? For small primary care practices (roughly 1–10 providers), common “short list” EHRs in 2026 are athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, Kareo/Tebra, Practice Fusion, OptiMantra, and CharmHealth. Bonus section on HIPAA software
More news from EuroShop. Nice ThinkEdge miniPC from Lenovo. And the Posiflex Polywell edge AI computer. We take a look (and a technical look) at how they compete with each other. The Thermal Dividend is surprising and makes a difference in engineering and service costs for large “enterprise-ready”. Plus PCI DSS 4.0 compliance doesn’t hurt.
Next AI section — this time Intel Core Ultra in Kiosks: Is “AI Boost” Just Marketing Fluff? The Rockchip is cheaper. Should not I save some money upfront?
We just published our hype-free, fact-based guide to AI kiosk hardware. We cut through the noise to compare:
▪️ Intel Core Ultra vs. ARM (Rockchip, Qualcomm, NVIDIA)
▪️ Fanless Box PCs vs. System on Module (SoM)
▪️ Upgrading legacy hardware with Hailo-8 M.2 modules
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that healthcare programs and activities receiving federal funding must not discriminate based on disability. This includes ensuring that self-service kiosks are accessible to all patients, particularly those with disabilities.
Also FHIR-Compliant Patient Portals — CMS released the Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule in January 2024, requiring impacted payers to implement FHIR-based APIs by January 1, 2026, for Medicare Advantage organizations, state Medicaid programs, and qualified health plans.
Key Accessibility Requirements
1. User Interface Design
Kiosk interfaces must be perceivable by users with visual, hearing, and reading disabilities.
Functionality should be operable using various input methods without requiring significant physical effort.
Information must be understandable to all users.
2. Accessible Input Devices
Kiosks should include physical keypads or keyboards in addition to touchscreens.
This allows users with physical disabilities or visual impairments to navigate and operate the kiosk more easily.
3. Speech Output Support
Kiosks must provide speech output to assist users who are blind or have low vision.
This feature enables nonvisual access to the kiosk’s functions.
Compliance and Enforcement
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for enforcing these standards.
Healthcare providers must develop policies to ensure compliance and may face legal repercussions for non-compliance.
Regulations
The U.S. Access Board was working on comprehensive accessibility requirements for kiosks, which will provide more specific technical standards in the future. They are temporarily defunded now. ANSI and ETSI are the new baselines for regulations
“If We Visited Booths We Would Visit” excel tab — 40 companies — Exhibitors HIMSS 2026
Reimagining Patient Access: How Self-Service Is Becoming a Clinical Enablement Tool
Q: Why has self-service become such an important topic in healthcare right now? A: Healthcare systems are under pressure from every direction—staffing shortages, rising patient volumes, and growing expectations for convenience and transparency. Self-service technologies address a critical gap by reducing administrative friction at the front end of care. When patients can check in, verify information, complete forms, or navigate facilities digitally, staff are freed to focus on clinical tasks where human interaction matters most.
Q: How has the role of self-service evolved beyond simple patient check-in? A: Self-service has moved well beyond being a front-desk replacement. Today, it functions as a clinical enablement layer that supports hospitals and surgeons throughout the patient journey. Digital intake, identity verification, and wayfinding ensure that accurate patient data is available before clinical encounters begin. That improves readiness for procedures, reduces delays, and minimizes downstream errors that can impact care delivery.
Q: What benefits does this bring specifically to surgeons and clinical teams? A: For surgeons, time and accuracy are critical. Self-service tools help ensure patients arrive prepared, consented, and correctly documented. That means fewer last-minute issues, fewer schedule disruptions, and better use of operating room time. Clinical teams spend less time correcting administrative errors and more time focusing on patient care. In high-volume environments, those efficiencies add up quickly.
Q: How does interoperability factor into successful self-service deployments? A: Integration with EHR systems is essential. Self-service solutions must securely exchange data with clinical systems to ensure information is accurate, up to date, and accessible where it’s needed. When designed correctly, self-service strengthens data integrity rather than creating silos, supporting HIMSS priorities around interoperability, security, and workflow optimization.
Q: What about accessibility and patient trust? A: Accessibility and inclusivity are non-negotiable in healthcare. Modern self-service platforms incorporate ADA compliance, multilingual support, and privacy-first design to ensure patients of all abilities can engage confidently. When patients feel in control of their check-in experience and trust the technology, satisfaction and adoption rise significantly.
Q: Where do you see self-service in healthcare heading next? A: The next phase is intelligent self-service—solutions augmented by AI, voice interaction, and real-time decision support. These tools will continue to equip hospitals and surgeons with better visibility, better data, and smoother workflows, helping healthcare systems deliver care that is not only more efficient, but more human.
Two notable things stand out: LG is clearly positioning this as an evolution of its Gen2 accessible kiosks, and they are now publicly tying that roadmap to Dot’s full braille/tactile module and multi‑modal access (audio, sign language, braille) at CSUN, which reinforces their “Better Life for All” accessibility narrative.
From LG — “We are excited to announce that LG will be showcasing our co-developed kiosk with Dot at the upcoming CSUN event. The event will be held at the Anaheim Marriott from March 11 to March 13, and you can find us at Booth #703. This innovative kiosk builds on the existing Gen2 accessibility features and includes additional solutions such as a screen reader, sign-language guidance, and a braille module. We believe these enhancements will significantly improve accessibility for all users.”
Details – Locations, DOT booth, Vispero Booth
The kiosk exhibition will take place from March 11 to 13 at the Anaheim Marriott, Marquis Ballroom.
The correct booth number is #703, which is LG’s booth
Grand Ballroom + Marquis Ballroom are exhibit areas
DOT is in booth 603 and that is where you find LG we think
In October 2015, the European Parliament adopted a revised Payment Services Directive known as PSD2. The new rules were aimed at promoting the development and use of innovative online and mobile payments through open banking. It introduced a number of new services, definitions, and obligations for market participants.
We’re not fans of regulation; we believe free markets tend to solve problems pretty f*cking well.
The problem, however, is that incumbents lobby and then pass regulations that protect their positions.
Incumbents do this to the point where they have no competition and they become effective utilities.
Well, that’s NOT a free market.
Like, why did it take Square years to get a banking license?
Look at the bullshit Square suffered through (from AI, but tracks with our understanding so we’re good with it):
Initial Regulatory Rejection/Withdrawal (2017-2018): Square first applied in September 2017 but withdrew its application in July 2018 due to pressure from regulators regarding concerns over its infrastructure, governance, and the suitability of the ILC charter for a fintech firm.
Intense Lobbying and Opposition: Traditional banking groups, such as the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), strongly opposed the application. They argued that allowing a tech company to own an ILC bank created a “loophole” that bypassed the Bank Holding Company Act, allowing a commercial firm to mix banking and commerce.
Refiling and Structural Changes: Following the withdrawal, Square had to refine its application, which included setting up a physical presence in Utah, naming a new CFO for the banking division (Brandon Soto), and addressing specific, detailed questions from the FDIC.
Regulatory “Not Active” Status: Even after receiving conditional approval from the Utah Department of Financial Institutions and the FDIC in March 2020, Square still had to wait nearly another year to satisfy all conditions to become “active” and begin operating, which finally happened in March 2021.
BTW, Stripe, Square, Plaid: all these fintechs broke the hell out of “rules” to deliver modernization and fight an antiquated system trying to keep people in the stone age.
Just stupid.
Well, UK banks looked at Trump, looked at the card duopolies, then realized that the banks are the ones who control both sides of the financial market (merchant + consumer) and thought, you know, I can make some more money here.
20 bps would yield $2.4B revenue, which really means about $2.392B of EBITDA.
Sure, there are some costs to run a network, but the banks effectively already run the only real cost of the card networks (final dispute resolution).
The UK is a bit different though thanks to legislation.
Interchange costs are capped at 20 and 30 bps for debit and credit respectfully, but the card duopolies see none of that, as it all goes to the issuing banks (note that Brexit opened an opportunity for the schemes to raise fees again, but earlier this year the schemes were put back in their boxes).
Call it 10, meaning UK banks stand to earn $1.192B of EBITDA by replacing the duopolies.
Not bad for a few days of work.
But here’s what this entire exercise should show you.
Banks are large enough and concentrated enough to build their own A2A (account to account) payment network.
It can be real-time.
It can be free.
But banks will never do this because.
Why?
It’s not in their best interest.
Domestically, banks they rip $187B (and likely more) in free interchange revenue for “rewards”.
Which don’t reward d*ck because any merchant with a brain marks up these card acceptance costs to the end consumer.
Consumer points, which end up being a windfall profit for banks and the card schemes, are just a massive societal tax.
In total irony card rewards actually punish consumers.
What society needs are neo banks, who are looser with rules and open to changing banking for the better, to partner with those that have merchant distribution to build a rail.
The costs to build and maintain said rail are cheap.
And look, it’s not like plastic isn’t valuable: consumers no longer have to carry around inconvenient stacks of paper and metal, and merchants worry less about friendly fraud and don’t have to make trips to the bank.
We’re not saying digital payments have no value.
Quite the opposite.
What we ARE saying is that you CAN have digital payments AND they can be asymptotically close to FREE.
Charge a little bit – like 5 bps – to underwrite the rail and dispute adjudication, and make the bulk of the money on credit underwriting.
That would be good for the neo banks, who can make good money on credit extension.
As a condition of having a truly low cost form of digital payments acceptance, participating merchants must agree to dual pricing other forms of card acceptance (since surcharging has been completely and capriciously bastardized by the duopolies).
We just don’t see RTP (who can’t even reply to emails and phone calls) moving their rail to a pull mechanism since it would upset their bank partners.
Same with FedNow.
Would love to be wrong, but private industry is the only way we’re going to solve our domestic state of perpetual payments servitude.
The yoke has grown heavy, massa.
BTW, loving AI image generation. Nano Banana below. So accurate it’s like AI knows the plight of citizens.
Visit Booth 3461 for Healthcare Kiosks, Touchless Tech, and Identity Solutions at HIMSS 2026
WESTMINSTER, Colo., March 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Industry Group (TIG) and the Kiosk Association (KMA) will present a fully integrated, accessibility-focused self-service ecosystem at HIMSS 2026 (Booth #3461, The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas). With the May 11, 2026 HHS Section 504 deadline approaching, healthcare organizations are facing new enforcement realities around digital accessibility and patient interaction. APNews release
The Industry Group invites attendees to Booth #3461 at The Venetian Expo for a hands-on technical briefing of a fully integrated ecosystem designed for the modern hospital campus.
Touchless Hygienic Screens: Experience HoverTap™, enabling safer interactions across the hospital. This technology works seamlessly with gloves, liquids, and plastic drapes to maintain a sterile environment.
Medical-Grade Durability: Inspect the Insight Touch 21″ Medical AIO, fully 60601-1 certified for clinical environments.
High-Speed Identity: Live demonstrations of secure wristband and badge printing powered by BOCA Systems.
Universal Accessibility: See how Storm Interface assistive hardware integrates with JAWS Kiosk software to create an ADA-compliant and user-friendly experience for all patients.
Strategic Briefings & Learning Objectives:
Conversational AI: Learn how AI can retrofit existing screens to support 90+ languages, even in high-noise environments.
Regulatory Compliance: Review ADA- and HIPAA-compliant patient check-in workflows and intelligent queue management.
Scalable Signage: Explore solutions ranging from lobby wayfinding to patient-room communication systems.
Operational Modernization: View smart lockers and secure employee vending solutions designed to streamline internal hospital operations.
Pre-book a 15-minute VIP Demo To skip the floor crowds and receive a personalized 1-on-1 walkthrough of our 2026 Compliance Roadmap, attendees are encouraged to schedule a briefing in advance.
We are entering a critical window for healthcare accessibility,” said Craig Keefner, Editor in Chief. With the 2026 deadlines approaching, our goal at HIMSS is to provide a clear, technical path forward for providers to remain compliant while improving the patient experience.
About The Industry Group
The Industry Group (TIG) is a central network for self-service technology, encompassing the Kiosk Association (KMA) and specialized portals for retail, healthcare, and digital signage.
HIMSS — What’s the best EHR for a small practice? For small primary care practices (roughly 1–10 providers), common “short list” EHRs in 2026 are athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, Kareo/Tebra, Practice Fusion, OptiMantra, and CharmHealth. Bonus section on HIPAA software https://patientkiosk.io/best-ehr-for-small-practice/
HIMSS 2026: The “Digital Front Door” Survival Guide from PatientKiosk — 5 Point Patient Kiosk “No-Fail” Checklist — For IT Directors, Compliance Officers, and Patient Experience Leaders https://patientkiosk.io/himss-2026-survival-guide/
HIMSS Special – The Edge AI Paradigm Shift: Processing PHI on the Device — Why Cloud AI is a HIPAA Liability for Patient Kiosks (And The Edge Inference Fix) https://kioskindustry.org/ai/hipaa-compliant-edge/
Forget the chatbot hype. The real AI revolution in self-service is happening at the edge.
Relying on the cloud for QSR voice ordering or patient check-in is a latency and privacy liability. For 2026, the new baseline specification is local Edge AI Inference.I just published our hype-free, fact-based guide to AI kiosk hardware. We cut through the noise to compare:
▪️ Intel Core Ultra vs. ARM (Rockchip, Qualcomm, NVIDIA)
▪️ Fanless Box PCs vs. System on Module (SoM)
▪️ Upgrading legacy hardware with Hailo-8 M.2 modulesSee the full technical breakdown here: kioskindustry.org/ai https://kioskindustry.org/ai/
March 9, 2026 – March 13, 2026
Booth #702, Anaheim Marriott, California, US.
We are thrilled to invite you to join Dot Inc. at the 2026 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference!
This year, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in assistive technology. From groundbreaking AI integrations, to accessible infrastructure and new hardware, we have an incredible lineup to share with you.
We look forward to sharing our latest innovations and discussing how our solutions can create meaningful impact in the year ahead.
At the core of our exhibit is the Dot Pad X. We will be showcasing live demonstrations of its full versatility:
• Multiline Reading: Seamless integration with screen readers and Dot Books.
• Tactile Graphics: Creating and exploring real-time graphics with Dot Canvas.
• Limitless possibilities with Dot’s SDK: Demonstrations of user created Dot Pad X games and productivity apps.
The Future is Dot AI: with Microsoft and Google
We are proud to unveil a suite of AI-powered solutions that transform education and productivity:
• Dot Point (Microsoft Partnership): Leveraging the power of the Microsoft Copilot+ PC, this solution allows PowerPoint presentations to be experienced tactilely like never before.
• Gemini on Chromebooks (Google Partnership): We are bringing the classroom to life by combining Google Gemini and Chromebooks, giving students instant access to textbooks, handouts, and educational materials.
• Dot Explore: Our innovative new Braille practice app that leverages AI to provide comprehensive pre-and-early Braille instruction.
Accessible Infrastructure: Co-Location with LG
We are excited to announce our partnership with LG to showcase the Accessible Kiosk. Powered by the Dot Module and full Dot cell technology, these kiosks revolutionize public access – from purchasing tickets and navigating indoor maps to rendering tactile experiences of museum art pieces.
Visit LG and Dot Inc. to experience it firsthand – our booths are located right next to each other.
New Product Reveal: The Nemonic Dot Braille Printer
Be the first to see our newest hardware addition: a pocket-sized Braille Printer. This device is capable of producing durable indoor and outdoor Braille labels, ensuring accessibility is always within reach.
From Pre-Braille to Data Fluency: Developing Tactile Skills
Tuesday, March 10th 2026. 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM PT
Location: Grand AB. Presenters: Tim Hornik and Dave Williams
• Learn from current research and pilots how students develop from early tactile skills to fluently interpreting and creating complex data – and what this means for the future of inclusion.
AI for Touch: Generative Tools for Scalable Tactile Access
Friday, March 13th. 4:20 PM – 5:00 PM PT
Location: Platinum 6. Presenters: Tim Hornik and Dave Williams
Description:
This session explores how generative AI tools are transforming tactile learning. Learn how platforms like Dot Vista use AI to create tactile-ready graphics on demand, expanding access while supporting best practices in tactile design.
Workplace with tablet pc showing calendar and a cup of coffee on a wooden work table close-up
Schedule a Private Tour
We want to ensure you get a comprehensive look at these product lines.
Please send a message to your Sales Development Manager, Justin or Timothy, to schedule a dedicated time slot.
We will take you through each use case and discuss strategic next steps for your markets.
📍 Visit Us:
Dot Inc. Booth #702
We look forward to seeing you in Anaheim!
Dot Pad Wins GESS 2025
Advancing Inclusive Education Across the Middle East Region
Dot Pad, was recognized at the GESS (Global Educational Supplies and Solutions) Education Awards 2025, held in Dubai on November 12, 2025.
The product was awarded “SEN (Special Educational Needs) and Inclusive Resource and Equipment Supplier of the Year,” selected from a record number of submissions representing 61 countries worldwide. Learn more.
6 images of students at a school in Amman, Jordan using the Dot Pad
Images of students using the Dot Pad at the Royal School for the Blind, Amman, Jordan taken in December 2025.
Firmware Update: Dot Pad X vA.0.2.6
A new firmware update is now available to download for the Dot Pad X.
Version (DPA320X) vA.0.2.6 provides essential improvements to battery optimization in low-battery scenarios.
Visit Booth 3461 for Healthcare Kiosks, Touchless Tech, and Identity Solutions at HIMSS 2026
WESTMINSTER, Colo., March 1, 2026 — The Industry Group (TIG) and the Kiosk Association (KMA) will present a fully integrated, accessibility-focused self-service ecosystem at HIMSS 2026 (Booth #3461, The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas). With the May 11, 2026 HHS Section 504 deadline approaching, healthcare organizations are facing new enforcement realities around digital accessibility and patient interaction.
The Industry Group invites attendees to Booth #3461 at The Venetian Expo for a hands-on technical briefing of a fully integrated ecosystem designed for the modern hospital campus.
Hands-On Technology at Booth #3461:
Touchless Hygienic Screens: Experience HoverTap™, enabling safer interactions across the hospital. This technology works seamlessly with gloves, liquids, and plastic drapes to maintain a sterile environment.
Medical-Grade Durability: Inspect the Insight Touch 21″ Medical AIO, fully 60601-1 certified for clinical environments.
High-Speed Identity: Live demonstrations of secure wristband and badge printing powered by BOCA Systems.
Universal Accessibility: See how Storm Interface assistive hardware integrates with JAWS Kiosk software to create an ADA-compliant and user-friendly experience for all patients.
Strategic Briefings & Learning Objectives:
Conversational AI: Learn how AI can retrofit existing screens to support 90+ languages, even in high-noise environments.
Regulatory Compliance: Review ADA- and HIPAA-compliant patient check-in workflows and intelligent queue management.
Scalable Signage: Explore solutions ranging from lobby wayfinding to patient-room communication systems.
Operational Modernization: View smart lockers and secure employee vending solutions designed to streamline internal hospital operations.
Pre-book a 15-minute VIP Demo To skip the floor crowds and receive a personalized 1-on-1 walkthrough of our 2026 Compliance Roadmap, attendees are encouraged to schedule a briefing in advance.
We are entering a critical window for healthcare accessibility,” said Craig Keefner, Editor in Chief. “With the 2026 deadlines approaching, our goal at HIMSS is to provide a clear, technical path forward for providers to remain compliant while improving the patient experience.”
About The Industry Group The Industry Group (TIG) is a central network for self-service technology, encompassing the Kiosk Association (KMA) and specialized portals for retail, healthcare, and digital signage.
More news from EuroShop. Nice ThinkEdge miniPC from Lenovo. And the Posiflex Polywell edge AI computer. We take a look (and a technical look) at how they compete with each other. The Thermal Dividend is surprising and makes a difference in engineering and service costs for large “enterprise-ready”. Plus PCI DSS 4.0 compliance doesn’t hurt.
Next AI section — this time Intel Core Ultra in Kiosks: Is “AI Boost” Just Marketing Fluff? The Rockchip is cheaper. Should not I save some money upfront?
We just published our hype-free, fact-based guide to AI kiosk hardware. We cut through the noise to compare:
▪️ Intel Core Ultra vs. ARM (Rockchip, Qualcomm, NVIDIA)
▪️ Fanless Box PCs vs. System on Module (SoM)
▪️ Upgrading legacy hardware with Hailo-8 M.2 modules
Advanced Kiosks has unveiled the Vault Payment Collection Kiosk, a ruggedized, unattended payment system engineered specifically for the security requirements of courts, municipalities, and public agencies. As a GSA-contracted solution, the Vault automates in-person bill payments by securely accepting cash, credit, debit, and digital wallets like Apple Pay. This PCI-compliant government kiosk eliminates manual reconciliation errors by utilizing integrated ID and barcode scanning for instant, accurate account lookups. Designed to provide 24/7 self-service utility billing and fine collection, the Vault allows public institutions to reduce staff overhead while providing citizens with a secure, tamper-resistant way to manage payments outside of traditional office hours.
Meet the Vault Payment System
The Vault automates in-person bill payment by accepting cash, credit, debit, checks, and digital wallets like Apple Pay, all within a PCI-compliant environment. Integrated ID, QR, and barcode scanning enables accurate account lookup, so payments are tied to the correct account every time. The result: fewer disputes, fewer cash-handling errors, and staff freed up for higher-value work.
Designed for high-traffic public spaces, the Vault kiosk operates 24/7 and features a segmented steel chassis, dual-lock vault, and tamper-resistant cash path architecture. Every transaction is validated, recorded, and audit-ready, giving agencies full financial transparency without the manual reconciliation burden.
On the software side, the Vault is powered by Advanced Kiosks’ Zamok platform, which provides centralized transaction control, role-based administrative access, real-time monitoring, and detailed reporting across all deployed locations. See also Facelock software.
The system is available through GSA contract and cooperative purchasing agreements. For more information, visit advancedkiosks.com or contact the sales team at (603) 865-1000.
This retail TouchPoints article, written by Matt Ater of Vispero, argues that the retail industry has reached a “mission-critical” tipping point where self-service technology must evolve from simple touchscreens to multimodal, accessible interfaces that work for everyone, regardless of physical ability or environmental circumstances. We agree. See The New Modality Stack: How Interactive Systems Are Moving Beyond the Touchscreen — Why Multimodal Interaction Is Replacing Single-Interface Design For more than three decades, interactive systems—from kiosks to digital signage to self-checkout.
Here is summary of Matt’s article with checklist
1. The Ubiquity of the “Invisible Kiosk”
Self-service is no longer just a checkout lane; it includes pharmacy photo stations, hotel check-in screens, digital lockers, and even handheld payment devices. The common thread is that shoppers are expected to perform tasks independently and under time pressure, often without access to their own personal assistive tech (like screen readers).
2. The Problem with “Default” Design
Most systems are designed for a “standard” user who can see, hear, and stand easily. This excludes:
Situational Hurdles: Glare on screens, loud background noise, language barriers, or even a parent holding a crying child.
3. The Multimodal Solution
The goal is Choice. Multimodal systems offer various ways to interact:
Audio output via headphones.
Tactile input (physical buttons/keypads).
Voice guidance and adaptive interfaces.
4. The Business Case (Beyond Compliance)
While regulations (especially in Europe) are tightening, Matt argues that inclusion is a competitive advantage:
Operational Efficiency:Accessible kiosks prevent “friction points” where staff must leave their posts to help frustrated customers.
Consumer Trust: Privacy in payments (like entering a PIN or choosing a tip via audio) provides dignity, which builds brand loyalty.
The Bottom Line: If a system is unusable, customers leave and often don’t return.
Key Insights & Analysis
1. Accessibility as “Universal Design”
One of the strongest insights here is the shift from seeing accessibility as a “niche” feature to seeing it as robust UX (User Experience). Just as “curb cuts” on sidewalks help people with strollers and bikes as much as wheelchair users, multimodal kiosks help the person in a noisy, crowded store just as much as someone with a hearing impairment.
2. The Danger of “Checkbox” Accessibility
Ater points out a significant “fail” in current tech: hardware that looks accessible but isn’t. A headphone jack that isn’t software-enabled is a “broken promise” that frustrates users more than having no jack at all. For retailers, this means the software layer is now just as important as the physical kiosk.
3. Privacy = Dignity
In a world of increasing data sensitivity, the “payment” aspect is crucial. For a blind or low-vision shopper, having to dictate a PIN or a tip amount to a stranger is a breach of privacy. Moving toward private audio interfaces isn’t just a technical fix; it’s an ethical one that respects the customer’s autonomy.
4. The Future is “Invisible”
Matt suggests that in five years, the best self-service will “fade into the background.” This implies a move toward Ambient Intelligence—systems that recognize user needs and adapt instantly without the user having to hunt for an “accessibility mode” button.
Insight Note: This article highlights a shift in retail philosophy. We are moving away from “How can we automate this to save money?” toward “How can we automate this without losing customers?”
The Multimodal Self-Service Checklist
1. Visual & Physical Accessibility
[ ] Screen Clarity: Is the interface high-contrast? Does it remain readable under harsh overhead retail lighting or near windows (glare-resistant)?
[ ] Reachable Design: Are all interactive elements (touchscreens, card slots, receipt printers) within the ADA-mandated reach range for a person using a wheelchair?
[ ] No “Visual-Only” Cues: Does the system avoid relying solely on color (e.g., “Press the green button”) to convey meaning?
2. Audio & Speech Integration
[ ] Functional Headphone Jack: Is there a standard 3.5mm jack? More importantly, does plugging in headphones automatically trigger a screen-reading voice-over?
[ ] Volume Control: Can the user easily adjust the volume to overcome ambient store noise?
[ ] Private Audio for Sensitive Data: Can a user hear their transaction total, tip options, and PIN prompts privately through headphones?
[ ] Speech-to-Text/Voice Command: Does the system allow for basic voice navigation in quiet or semi-private environments?
3. Tactile & Input Feedback
[ ] Physical Keypad/Nav: Is there a tactile peripheral (like a Braille-labeled keypad) for users who cannot use a flat touchscreen?
[ ] Haptic/Audio Confirmation: Does the system provide a “beep” or a haptic vibration to confirm a successful scan or button press?
[ ] Timeout Alerts: Does the system provide an audio warning before a session “times out” due to inactivity, giving the user a chance to ask for more time?
4. Software & Interface Logic
[ ] Language Choice: Are the accessibility features available in all supported languages, or just the default?
[ ] Simplification Mode: Is there an option for a “high-contrast” or “large-text” mode that simplifies the UI for users with cognitive or visual impairments?
[ ] Real-Time Error Correction: If an item is scanned twice or a weight error occurs on the scale, does the system explain the error via audio?
5. Operational Support
[ ] Staff Alert Integration: If a user is struggling, does the system notify a staff member discreetly so they can provide help without the customer having to wave them down?
[ ] “Assist” Mode: Can a staff member take over the screen remotely or via a secondary interface to help clear a block without the user losing their privacy?
Pro-Tip for Implementation
The “Lab vs. Reality” Test: Don’t test this in a quiet office. Test it in a store at 5:00 PM on a Friday with music playing, carts rattling, and a line of people waiting. If a user can’t complete a transaction independently in that environment, the accessibility features aren’t fully functional yet.
HIMSS Intersection
Section 1557: The Compliance “Teeth”
The HHS finalized a rule in May 2024 that explicitly includes self-service kiosks under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
The Deadline: Large healthcare providers (15+ employees) must ensure their kiosks are accessible by May 11, 2026.
The Standard: The rule adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard. This means if your kiosk is used for check-in or payment, it must support the multimodal features Ater mentioned (screen readers, tactile input, etc.).
The Risk: Unlike retail, where the cost is “lost sales,” in healthcare, non-compliance can lead to the loss of federal funding (Medicare/Medicaid) and significant civil rights litigation.
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2. Revenue Cycle “Shift Left”
“Shift Left” refers to moving administrative and financial tasks (insurance verification, co-pay collection) to the very beginning of the patient journey—ideally at the kiosk during check-in—rather than “chasing” the money weeks later.
How Accessibility Enables “Shift Left”
If your kiosk isn’t multimodal/accessible, your “Shift Left” strategy will fail for 20-25% of the population.
Data Integrity: A patient with a visual impairment cannot verify if their insurance info is correct on an inaccessible screen. This leads to “snowball errors” and claim denials downstream.
Upfront Collection: If a patient cannot privately and independently pay their co-pay at the kiosk (due to a lack of audio guidance for the keypad), they will skip the step. This forces the “Shift Right”—back into the expensive, manual billing cycle.
Operational Throughput: When a kiosk fails a disabled patient, they must go to the front desk. This creates a bottleneck exactly where “Shift Left” was supposed to save labor costs.
3. The “Dignity” Factor in Healthcare
In retail, Ater notes that privacy is about “dignity.” In healthcare, it is also about HIPAA.
Multimodal = Private: A blind patient shouldn’t have to shout their birthdate, address, or “reason for visit” to a front-desk clerk because the kiosk didn’t have a headphone jack.
Autonomy: Providing an accessible kiosk allows patients to manage their insurance and payments with the same independence as everyone else, fulfilling the “nondiscrimination” spirit of Section 1557.
Insight for HIMSS 2026
“Don’t just comply with Section 1557 to avoid a lawsuit; do it to protect your revenue. If your kiosks aren’t accessible, you can’t ‘Shift Left’ for every patient, and your RCM (Revenue Cycle Management) will continue to leak money on the back end.”
2026 Update — Building a website is only half the battle. To see a true ROI, you need the right audience—not just any traffic. For the self-service and kiosk industry, this requires a specialized approach to technical SEO, accessibility, and search mechanics. For complete FAQ overview see FAQ Overview. The question for us is do we want to be authority and reference, or do we want leads? We have the luxury of letting the leads be a consequence, not primary.
For content I wish I could just change this or that and be done. Dream on. The AIs are helpful but the differences and the agreements are the useful part of that equation.
Common Pitfalls in Web Development
Many industry sites fail because they ignore the “plumbing” of their digital presence. Avoid these frequent mistakes:
Underestimating Executive Creeps — Get a battle plan and stick to it. You are designing for customers and investors.
Missing Structured Data: If you don’t use Schema, Google is guessing what your product is. Don’t leave your “Self-Checkout Solutions” or “Outdoor Kiosks” to chance. And schema is generally page type and article type. I have several pages with article type set to NONE with no side injection of schema. Just the page type.
Mobile-Secondary Thinking: While kiosk buyers often use desktops for deep research, Google indexes the mobile version first. If it’s broken on a phone, it’s invisible on a PC.
Ignoring Site Mechanics: Fast office internet hides the truth. Use PageSpeed Insights or GTMetrix to see how your site performs for a lead on a spotty 5G connection.
Cloudflare — probably the best CDN on the planet, plus the best protection against DDOS
Asset Bloat: High-res spec sheets and non-optimized graphics are “bandwidth killers.” Optimize every image before upload.
Underutilizing Free Tools: Tools like Accessibility Insights (Edge browser) are free, powerful, and often ignored. Use them.
Designing For Themselves and Not Their Users — when you ask your CEO to sign off on new website, make them use their mobile to view. And remember, CEOs don’t fax in POs….
Simple fixes for WCAG-related “Accessibility” fixes. Use your stylesheets in power mode. Make it speakable.
Kitchen Sink Morass — web developers like to have specific templates they support along with specific plugins they use. Your site gets overloaded with plugins. The developers are more skilled in modifying a template than actual coding. They take longer. Support takes longer. You are much more open to attack (CVEs or new hacks into plugins).
The fewer the plugins, the better
Posting Content — I let anybody post just my sending me their content in email. If they want I will also them into CMS. I simply moderate the posts. The more content the better and limiting posting to one authorized person is a bad idea in many ways.
GSC “Hacks” for 2026
Improve CTR: Tweak meta titles for pages with high impressions but low clicks.
Optimize “Nearly There” Keywords: Focus on keywords ranking in positions 4–10.
Content Gap Analysis: Find new ideas based on what users are searching for.
Sales Funnel Completion: Identify where users drop off.
Core Web Vitals: Fix “LCP” issues to stay in Google’s good graces.
Mobile Keyword Optimization: See if mobile users use different terms than desktop users.
Internal Link Boost: Link your high-traffic posts to your “money” (product) pages.
Backlink Hunting: Find who links to competitors but not you.
Rich Results: Use Schema to get those “stars” and “FAQs” in the search results.
Compare Performance: Use the “Compare” date feature to see if your latest update actually helped.
Sitemap Submission: Ensure Google sees your newest pages instantly.
The “Kiosk Ratio”: Why Our Data Is Different
General SEO advice says “60% of traffic is mobile.” In the kiosk world, we often see the opposite.
Case Study: At kioskindustry.org, out of 500,000 requests, only about 150,000 are mobile. In a month figure 15,000,000 requests and 35% of those are mobile.
The Insight: Our audience does the “heavy lifting” (comparing specs, downloading RFPs) on desktops. However, because Google’s primary focus is mobile, your site must be flawless on both to rank at all. For trade shows your mobile usage will triple .
Maximizing Google Search Console (GSC)
We rely on GSC because 95% of organic traffic originates from Google. While LinkedIn is great for “endorphin hits” and keeping supporters happy, it rarely drives the volume that a well-indexed Google page does. For every 10 visits from LinkedIn, we get 1,000 visits from Google.
Pro Tip — GSC is much like a rear-view mirror. It will usually see where you site “was”. Use validator.schema.org to check now (and make sure site and CDN cache cleared)
Why We Use GSC for Kiosk Sites:
Identify Intent: We found our top topic was “Walmart Replacing Self-Checkout.” GSC tells you exactly what people are typing so you can create content they actually want.
Re-Indexing: When you update a product spec or a press release, don’t wait for Google. Use GSC to tell them: “I’ve updated this, come look again.”
Health Checks: GSC monitors your Core Web Vitals and security. For an industry that handles sensitive data, a “Security Error” in GSC is a business-killer.
Backlink Audits: See who is talking about you. High-authority links (like AVIXA) are the “gold” that pushes you above competitors.
Accessibility: Beyond the Checklist
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it’s about usability.
Quick Scan: Use the built-in Accessibility functions in Chrome/Edge or PageSpeed Dev.
Lighthouse by Google is good. PSD can have cache problems
Deep Dive: Use GT Metrix for a “waterfall” view of how your site loads.
The Goal: A site that is easy for a screen reader to navigate is also a site that is easy for Google to index.
WCAG 2.2 AA
EAA (EU clients)
Section 504/HHS triggers (healthcare)
Structured data helping screen readers
Semantic HTML hierarchy
Pro Tips
Taking Control of Your Search
Use these expert search parameters to get the 2011-style “10 Blue Links” and verbatim results:
The “Web Only” Filter: Add &udm=14 to your search URL to bypass AI overviews.
The Verbatim Hack: Add &tbs=li:1 to force Google to search your exact terms—no synonyms, no “fuzzy” matching.
We are big fans of Google Programmable Search which lets us let you search google for our content, without any added fluff. Just results.
If you have strong Bot firewalls (typically Cloudflare) you’ll want to ensure rule set up for GoogleBot (and others probably)
Notifying Google Instantly
Twice a day is ok, but when new content or changes happen it is ideal to let Google know instantly.
Google Cloud Console (can be confusing for sure)
Create project or use existing
Enable Indexing API
Add key (JSON) and download
Add that email to GSC as user
Use Google-friendly RSS plugin — it will want that JSON file
Things to Watch Out For
Structured data can bite you in the butt too. Generally you can automatically insert or you can selectively insert custom. Chatgpt is very good at JSON but Google has little variances and then Yoast can add confusion. The wrong dates for modified and published can cause Google to see you as “bad site”. Be careful
Remember, GSC is rearview mirror.
Strategic AI Usage
Don’t fear the bot; direct it.
Strategic Scraping: Allow high-value AIs (ChatGPT, Gemini, Anthropic) to crawl your site so they can recommend your products in their chats.
Allowing AI crawlers ≠ guaranteed citation
Use llms.txt or schema reinforcement (Yoast provides that)
Monitor server logs
Consider rate limiting
Block the “Bandwidth Eaters”: Use your robots.txt to shut the door on useless scrapers (like TikTok) that eat your server resources without providing ROI.
AEO vs GEO vs AIO: What These Terms Actually Mean and Why Your Business Needs to Care
The article explains three emerging digital-visibility strategies that are replacing traditional SEO thinking in the age of AI search.
The core idea: people increasingly ask AI tools (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews) for answers instead of clicking search results, so businesses must optimize their content for AI systems—not just search engines.
The Three Terms Explained
1. AEO — Answer Engine Optimization
Goal:Become the source AI systems choose when answering a question.
Focus areas:
Direct answers to questions
FAQ pages and structured Q&A content
Voice search queries
Featured snippets and AI summaries
Typical tactics:
Clear question/answer formatting
FAQ schema
concise explanations
conversational language
In short: AEO tries to make your content “the answer.”
2. GEO — Generative Engine Optimization
Goal:Ensure your brand or content is cited by generative AI systems.
Focus areas:
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini
AI-generated summaries
Typical tactics:
authoritative long-form content
structured information AI can extract
citations across the web
building topical authority
In short: GEO tries to make your content “a trusted source” AI systems reference.
3. AIO — Artificial Intelligence Optimization
Goal:Prepare your entire digital presence to work with AI systems.
AIO is the strategic umbrellathat includes both AEO and GEO.
It involves:
structured data (schema, entity signals)
authoritative brand presence
AI-readable content
tracking citations in AI answers
ensuring consistent knowledge graph information
In short: AIO is the company-wide AI visibility strategy.
How They Fit Together
Think of it like layers:
Layer
Role
SEO
Rank in traditional search results
AEO
Be selected as the answer
GEO
Be cited by AI systems
AIO
Overall AI-visibility strategy
These approaches complement each other rather than replacing SEO.
Why Businesses Need to Care
AI search is rapidly changing how people discover information.
Key shifts:
“Zero-click” answers from AI reduce website visits.
AI models synthesize answers rather than listing links.
Visibility now depends on being cited or used by AI systems, not just ranking in Google.
Companies that adapt will remain visible in AI-driven discovery.
✔ Bottom line:
AEO = optimize content to be the answer
GEO = optimize content to be cited by AI
AIO = overall strategy for AI visibility
Here is the original article following from 2025.
Screenshots
rich text
Recommended for Websites (WordPress as rule)
Classic editor lets you inject easy ad-hoc
GNPublisher is highly rated
BetterSearchReplace — easy search replace for database
LinkWhisper
Yoast
CronControl
WPRocket is great with Cloudflare
TablePress is good for tables.
Images usually need alt text. There are tools with bulk edit that are available. Best advice is learn early on to properly document assets when you originally deploy them. Alttext.ai is well-liked and good business. I’ve never had much luck though with alt text. I blame it on Vispero 🙂
PhpAdmin is more severe but great for optimizing databases. Discarded plugins rarely clean up after themselves. Garbage collection and disposal is extremely important.
SEO
Semrush is main one these days. Ahrefs is very good. Wincher is pretty good
Yoast is pretty much automatic
Hosting
Blue Host – Someone like me rarely needs technical support
WP Engine – spendy but if you like having top-notch support hard to beat
Rackspace – grew up on Rackspace. Super nice for enterprises (Nestle, etc)
Cloudflare Workers — free. I have 6 or 7 of these
GoDaddy — I use them for static html archive sites. Cheap and easy.
Cannot recommend
Accessibility plugins – generally waste of money
Multilingual — they create parallel databases. Bad idea.
Sitekit by Google. Works but unless selling product too much overhead for simply stats
Once your Domain Authority rises you will begin to get emails from SEO groups trying to build backlinks for their clients. They get paid for that. Personally we don’t engage them because they compromise our content. Google squints its eyes when it sees that. Not good. Best to just stay true and block/spam them. You’ll sleep better at night.
We saw this today – Euroshop 2026: Lenovo Unveils ThinkEdge Gen 2 for Retail: Lenovo’s global leadership team debuted ruggedized edge AI PCs in Düsseldorf, signaling a major move toward bringing real-time intelligence directly to the shop floor. Invidis
The Lenovo ThinkEdge Gen 2 portfolio, specifically the SE30n Gen 2 and SE60n Gen 2 models launched at EuroShop 2026, represents a direct competitive alternative to the custom Portwell-based systems used in the Posiflex SOK units.
While the Posiflex units use modular COM Express boards, Lenovo has opted for a ruggedized, integrated fanless chassis designed for high-density AI inference at the retail edge.
Direct Comparison: Lenovo SE60n vs. Portwell PCOM-B65A
The SE60n Gen 2 is the closest competitor to the Portwell PCOM-B65A module.
Silicon Parity: Both systems leverage the Intel Core Ultra architecture. This is critical because both can utilize Intel OpenVINO for the local SLM (Small Language Model) inference discussed earlier.
Thermal Advantage: The Lenovo SE60n Gen 2 is rated for -20°C to 60°C, making it slightly more rugged than the standard Portwell module (typically 0°C to 60°C), which is useful for outdoor or “unconditioned” kiosk enclosures.
AI Throughput: Lenovo is marketing 97 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) for the SE60n. This is massive for a fanless unit and is specifically designed for multi-camera computer vision (loss prevention) and voice-to-order processing simultaneously.
Modular I/O: While Portwell uses a carrier board for I/O, Lenovo uses IET (Internal Expansion Technology) modules. This allows you to add 4x PoE LAN ports specifically for IP cameras used in food recognition without changing the core PC.
If Posiflex is using the Portwell PCOM-B65A, they have a serviceability advantage (the COM Express module is swappable). However, the Lenovo ThinkEdge Gen 2 offers a tighter security stack, shipping with ThinkShield and Intel vPro Security integrated at the BIOS level, which may appeal more to Tier-1 retailers worried about kiosk-level hacking.
When comparing the Lenovo ThinkEdge SE60n Gen 2 to the Portwell PCOM-B65A module found in Posiflex SOK kiosks, the primary engineering challenge is managing the Thermal Design Power (TDP) in a sealed environment.
The Lenovo SE60n Gen 2 is a fully integrated, fanless “brick” designed for extreme environments. In contrast, the Portwell PCOM-B65A is a modular board that relies on the kiosk’s own chassis (like the Posiflex SOK series) to act as the primary heat sink.
Thermal & Power Specification Comparison
Engineering Analysis for Kiosk Housing
1. Cooling in Sealed Acrylic/Metal Enclosures
Lenovo’s Strategy: The SE60n acts as its own heatsink. If placed inside a sealed kiosk, it can eventually create an “oven effect” unless the kiosk chassis itself has thermal vents or is made of conductive material to pull heat away from the Lenovo unit.
Portwell/Posiflex Strategy: Because it’s a COM Express module, Posiflex engineers can use a copper heat pipe or thermal pad to bridge the module directly to the large metal pedestal of the kiosk. This turns the entire 5-foot-tall kiosk body into a massive passive radiator, which is often more effective than the smaller fins on a standalone PC.
2. Power Efficiency (The “AI Penalty”)
The Intel Core Ultra chips used in both systems feature a new NPU (Neural Processing Unit). This is crucial because the NPU can handle voice recognition at roughly 2.5W, whereas older systems would have to ramp up the CPU/GPU to 30W+ to do the same task. This significantly reduces the risk of thermal throttling during busy lunch rushes.
3. Ruggedness vs. Serviceability
The Lenovo unit is IP50 rated (with an optional dust cover), making it better for standalone “bolted-to-wall” signage in semi-outdoor environments.
The Portwell/Posiflex combo wins on serviceability. If the compute fails, a technician swaps a single 125mm board rather than unmounting a 5lb industrial PC and re-routing all the internal kiosk cabling.
Integrating AI at the edge, especially with the newer Intel Core Ultra architecture, offers a significant “thermal dividend” that directly impacts the bottom line for kiosk operators.
The “Thermal Dividend”: NPU vs. CPU/GPU
In older 12th Gen Intel or Celeron-based systems, running a local voice or vision model requires the CPU and GPU to ramp up to high power states. This creates a “Heat-Power Spiral”: as the chip gets hotter, it consumes more energy to maintain performance, necessitating more expensive cooling or causing the chip to “throttle” (slow down).
The Portwell PCOM-B65A and Lenovo SE60n Gen 2 solve this with a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit):
Efficiency Shift: Tasks like “Always-on Voice Listening” that used to cost 15W–20W on a CPU now run on the NPU for roughly 2W–3W.
Operational Savings: Across a fleet of 500 kiosks, reducing the average power draw by just 15 Watts per unit (running 24/7) saves approximately 65,700 kWh per year. At a commercial rate of $0.12/kWh, that’s a direct saving of $7,884 annually in electricity alone.
Reduced Failure Rates: Lower heat means less stress on the internal components (capacitors, SSDs). In sealed kiosk housings, this typically results in a 15-20% reduction in field service calls over a 5-year lifecycle.
In Closing
The hidden cost of the “AI revolution” in retail is heat. By offloading local inference tasks to the integrated NPU found in the Portwell and Lenovo modules, operators can finally run complex Local SLMs (Small Language Models) without the thermal penalties of the past. This architecture doesn’t just enable “Tray-to-Payment” speed; it delivers a sustainable, lower-cost infrastructure that meets both PCI DSS v4.0.1 security and corporate energy-efficiency goals.
Addendum
AI vs. PCI DSS v4.0.1: How Local Inference Reduces Compliance Scope
How Local AI Meets PCI DSS v4.0.1 Standards
Requirement 3: Protecting Stored Account Data Local inference ensures that sensitive customer data (like voice prints or facial geometry) used for authentication or ordering is never stored. The AI processes the intent and then “forgets” the raw data, preventing the creation of a “honeypot” for hackers.
Requirement 4: Encrypting Data in Transit Because the AI “brain” is inside the kiosk, there is zero data in flight to a cloud LLM. This eliminates the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks where an intruder could intercept a customer’s voice or order data over the internet.
Requirement 11: Security Testing & Monitoring Newer hardware like the Lenovo ThinkEdge SE60n Gen 2 includes Hardware-Rooted Security. This allows the kiosk to perform “Self-Integrity Checks” to ensure the AI model hasn’t been tampered with or replaced by a malicious version.
Section 12.3.2: Incident Response for AI The latest version of PCI DSS requires a plan for responding to new tech threats. Local AI makes this easier because you can physically isolate a single kiosk if its AI behaves strangely, without having to shut down your entire cloud network.
The Role of “Trusted Execution Environments”
The Intel Raptor Lake and Core Ultra chips use a technology called Intel® SGX (Software Guard Extensions). This creates a “secure enclave” on the processor. Even if the kiosk’s operating system is compromised, the AI model and the payment data stay inside this protected vault, making it nearly impossible for a virus to steal information.
So Who Wins?
Choose Lenovo ThinkEdge SE60n Gen 2 if your TCO focus is on Security and IT Deployment. The built-in ThinkShield and hardware-rooted security can reduce your PCI DSS v4.0.1 audit preparation time by up to 30%.
Choose Portwell PCOM-B65A (via Posiflex) if your TCO focus is on Hardware Lifecycle. The modular COM Express design allows you to replace only the “brain” for future upgrades (e.g., in 2030), saving you from discarding the entire $3,000+ kiosk pedestal.
For a large-scale rollout like Posiflex, the Portwell module is likely the cost winner. Replacing a $400–$600 COM Express board is significantly cheaper than replacing a $1,200+ ruggedized industrial PC. It also allows Posiflex to keep the same kiosk chassis for a decade while only upgrading the “brain” board every few years.
When scaled across 500 units, the financial impact of the NPU “Thermal Dividend” becomes a clear line item for your CFO.
The Power-Per-Watt Advantage
Legacy kiosks (12th Gen Intel Core or older) rely on the CPU or GPU for background AI tasks like voice-activation or customer analytics. These components are “sprints” that consume high power. The NPU is a “marathon runner” designed for continuous, low-power inference.
Sustained AI Workloads: The NPU consumes roughly 13W compared to the 20W+ required by a traditional CPU/GPU setup for the same visual processing.
Total Energy Savings: In a typical 24/7 retail environment, this reduction can slash up to 35% of total system power during peak AI usage.
Reducing “Truck Rolls” & Service Calls
The hidden cost of kiosk management is the on-site technician visit (the “Truck Roll”).
Thermal Longevity: Excess heat is the #1 killer of kiosk SSDs and motherboards. By reducing thermal stress via the NPU, you extend the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) by an estimated 15-20%.
Remote Recovery: Both Lenovo and Portwell modules support Intel vPro Fleet Services. In 2026, this is now integrated directly into Microsoft Intune, allowing you to fix “zombie” kiosks remotely that previously would have required a $250+ service visit.
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The unattended retail sector—spanning vending machines, micro markets, and smart stores—has rapidly evolved into a sophisticated, high-value retail channel powered by digital payments and automation. In vending automation, the big majority of cash payments are for small dollar items. And that is where the change is coming.
Cashless payments removed the industry’s biggest barrier: dependence on cash. Today’s advanced terminals support contactless cards, mobile wallets, and tap-to-pay, which now account for 77% of cashless transactions in North America and 94% in the U.K. Importantly, cashless transactions generate 26% higher average ticket values, directly increasing revenue.
Consumer adoption is driven by:
Speed and convenience (49% cite speed as the primary benefit)
Reduced human interaction (33% value low-contact transactions)
Micro markets and smart stores significantly outperform traditional vending:
150–400 SKUs vs. ~40 in vending
~4× higher sales volume per location
Smart store average ticket: $4.25 vs. $2.11 for traditional vending
AI, computer vision, RFID, and embedded scales further enhance automation by:
Automatically identifying products
Eliminating checkout lines
Reducing shrink
Improving user experience
The sector’s electronic payment volume is projected to reach $118 billion by 2029, growing at a 21% CAGR, fueled by higher-ticket sales, expanded product categories (fresh food, pharma, electronics), and deployments in high-traffic environments.
Bottom Line: Unattended retail is no longer just vending—it is becoming a scalable, data-driven, AI-enabled retail infrastructure platform and a major growth engine for electronic payments and automated commerce.
Unattended Retail: A Structural Growth Engine for Electronic Payments
(Source: William Blair Industry Report, August 2025
Strategic Thesis
Unattended retail—vending, micro markets, and smart stores—is transitioning from a low-ticket convenience channel into a high-growth, technology-driven retail infrastructure platform.
This shift is materially accelerating cashless adoption, payment volume growth, and average ticket expansion, creating long-term upside for payments providers, operators, and automation vendors.
Market Snapshot
~14.8M vending machines globally
Only 44% connected (2023) → 71% expected by 2028
Cashless vending payment volume projected to reach $118B by 2029
~21% CAGR expected in cashless vending volume
Significant white space remains in small-ticket digital conversion.
Key Growth Drivers
1. Cash-to-Card Conversion
43% of U.S. transactions ≤ $5 still use cash
Tap-to-pay dominates cashless adoption:
77% of U.S./Canada unattended cashless transactions
Unattended retail represents a durable, technology-enabled growth channel for electronic payments and automated commerce.
As higher-ticket mix, smart-store deployment, and connected device penetration expand, the sector is positioned to move from incremental growth driver to strategic pillar within the broader retail and payments ecosystem
The use of cash for low-ticket transactions follows similar trends in Europe
The Shift from Transactional to Intelligent: How Computer Vision and Voice AI are Driving QSR Efficiency
At EuroShop 2026 this week, Posiflex is revealing the technical architecture behind their new FR Series (Food
Posiflex intel
Recognition) and SOK Series kiosks.
These units are specifically engineered to solve the “cafeteria bottleneck” by replacing manual PLU/barcode entry with a computer-vision-based “tray-to-payment” workflow.
Technical Breakdown: Posiflex FR & SOK Series
Multimodal Object Recognition: The FR Series uses high-performance AI (optimized for Intel-based edge processing) to identify multiple distinct food items on a tray simultaneously. It can distinguish between similar-looking items (e.g., different types of pastries or side dishes) regardless of their orientation or overlap on the tray.
Edge-First Processing: To ensure sub-second recognition speeds and maintain customer privacy, the AI inference happens locally on the kiosk hardware rather than in the cloud. This utilizes Intel Core™ Ultra processors to handle the intensive computer vision workloads without lag.
The “SOK” Series Voice Layer: While the FR series handles visual recognition, the SOK Series integrates AI Voice Interaction. This allows for a multimodal interface where customers can visually confirm their tray and use natural language to add items (e.g., “Add a large water”) or modify orders without touching the screen.
Loss Prevention Integration: The system includes an automated validation layer that compares the visually identified items against the final transaction, flagging discrepancies in real-time to reduce “shrink” in self-service environments.
Modular “Scenario-Driven” Design: The hardware is built with a modular internal architecture, allowing operators to swap between weighing scales, RFID readers, or vision-only modules depending on the specific QSR or cafeteria layout.
Intel’s Role in this Architecture
Intel is the “silicon backbone” for these specific Posiflex units. By utilizing the OpenVINO™ toolkit, Posiflex has optimized their vision models to run efficiently on Intel’s integrated GPUs (iGPUs) and NPUs (Neural Processing Units), which significantly reduces the thermal footprint—allowing these high-power AI features to run in the relatively cramped, fanless enclosures typical of sleek kiosk designs.
Technical Breakdown: Intel Inside the SOK Series
The Processor: Specifically, these units are using 13th/14th Gen Intel Core (Raptor Lake) silicon. While the standard POS terminals often use the Celeron J6412 (Elkhart Lake) for basic transactions, the SOK Series requires the higher thread count and integrated graphics performance of Raptor Lake to handle the AI voice interaction and real-time inference.
The “AI” Engine: To power the “Tray-to-Payment” food recognition (FR Series) and the natural language processing in the SOK units, Posiflex is utilizing the Intel OpenVINO™ toolkit. This allows the AI models to run on the processor’s integrated GPU and NPU, keeping the kiosk responsive without needing a discrete (and heat-intensive) graphics card.
Reliability Specs: These are part of the Intel Premium POS Validation Program, meaning the Raptor Lake implementation is specifically tuned for “extreme uptime”—high-heat, 24/7 retail environments where traditional consumer-grade chips might throttle.
Beyond the Hype: Local SLMs and Intel Silicon”The SOK Series doesn’t just ‘talk’ to the cloud; it thinks at the edge. By deploying quantized Small Language Models (SLMs) optimized through Intel’s OpenVINO, Posiflex has achieved what was once considered impossible for fanless enclosures: a local LLM that understands complex, multi-item QSR orders with zero latency.
By running their own local LLM (Large Language Model) on the Intel Raptor Lake chips at the edge, Posiflex avoids the latency and privacy pitfalls of sending every guest’s voice or tray image to a cloud server like AWS or Azure.
Here is how that “Local LLM” architecture works in the SOK and FR series:
Small Language Models (SLMs)
Instead of a massive model like GPT-4, they are likely using quantized Small Language Models (like Llama 3-8B or Phi-3). These are compressed to fit into the 8GB–16GB of RAM found in a high-end kiosk.
The “Quantization” trick: They use Intel’s OpenVINO to shrink the model from 16-bit to 4-bit (INT4). This reduces the memory footprint by 75% without significantly losing accuracy for the specific vocabulary of a QSR (e.g., “extra pickles,” “no onions”).
Multimodal Local Inference
The local engine isn’t just “reading text”; it’s multimodal.
Vision + Language: The FR series visual model identifies the tray, then hands that data to the local LLM.
Contextual Awareness: If you have a burger on the tray and say, “Make that a combo,” the local LLM understands the context of what it sees and what it hears to update the order instantly.
Zero-Latency Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Because it doesn’t wait for a cloud round-trip, the interaction feels “near-human.”
Hardware Acceleration: The local LLM runs on the Intel iGPU and NPU (Neural Processing Unit). This offloads the “thinking” from the main CPU, allowing the kiosk’s UI and printer to stay fast and responsive even while the AI is processing a complex sentence.
Why this matters for the 2026 PCI DSS Audit
From a PCI DSS v4.0.1 perspective, local inference is a massive “win.” Since the voice data and images are processed and discarded locally, they aren’t “in flight” over the internet, which drastically reduces the CDE (Cardholder Data Environment) scope and risk of data interception.
Model Type: Based on the Intel Core™ Ultra (Raptor Lake) hardware specs and the use of the OpenVINO™ toolkit, they are using a 4-bit quantized SLM. For 2026, the industry standard for this type of hardware is typically a variant of Phi-3-mini or Llama-3-8B, which are small enough to run entirely in the kiosk’s memory (RAM) while maintaining high accuracy for menu-driven commands.
Portwell In The Mix
Because Portwell designs the module and Posiflex designs the kiosk, they have a tighter hardware-to-software integration than a typical kiosk OEM using off-the-shelf NUCs.
By using a COM Express module, Posiflex makes the kiosk future-proof. If a more powerful AI chip comes out in 2028, a technician can simply swap the Portwell module instead of replacing the entire $5,000 kiosk chassis.
Weekly News Digest for Self-Service and Retail Tech
## Strategic Watch List & Financials
Walmart ($WMT): Automation vs. Human Touch Walmart reached a $1 trillion market cap this month. Strategically, they are shifting 65% of stores to automated servicing but are notably reintroducing manned registers in select zones to combat “self-checkout friction” and shrink. Source:Walmart’s Omnichannel Strategy
Diebold Nixdorf ($DBD): Strong 2026 Outlook Reported Q4 earnings beat expectations with a free cash flow target of $255M–$270M for 2026. Retail revenue is up 12% YoY, driven by global demand for POS and self-service hardware. Source:Diebold Nixdorf Financial Summary
Intel ($INTC): Edge-Ready Silicon Intel launched the Core Ultra Series 3, the first chips on the 18A process certified specifically for embedded industrial edge use (perfect for high-performance kiosks and media players). Source:Intel 18A Edge Certification
## Regulatory & Accessibility Alerts
HHS Section 504 (Healthcare Kiosks)Deadline: May 11, 2026. Healthcare providers must ensure all patient-facing kiosks meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Non-compliance after this date carries significant federal litigation risk. Source:HHS Accessibility Mandate Details
ADA Title II (State & Local Gov)Deadline: April 24, 2026. This mandate requires all digital content and accompanying kiosk interfaces used by local governments to be fully accessible. Source:ADA Title II Compliance Guide
## Edge Computing & Infrastructure
Scale Computing Acquires Adaptiv Networks This acquisition integrates SD-WAN and SASE security directly into edge platforms. This is a critical move for retailers managing thousands of kiosks who need “zero-touch” secure connectivity. Source:Scale Computing Strategic Acquisition
In India and other Asian growth markets, Walmart’s automation program will likely accelerate demand for self‑checkout, computer‑vision loss prevention, and digital shelf labels, while raising workforce and training questions.
Diebold’s ‘local‑for‑local’ push positions its POS and SCO stack for faster deployment with regional manufacturing and integration partners in Asia, where grocery and QSR formats are rapidly standardizing.
In Asia, partners like Advantech in Taiwan are packaging Core Ultra Series 3 into off‑the‑shelf edge AI boxes aimed at smart retail, kiosks, and digital signage, which will likely be the first wave of deployments outside the U.S. and EU.
Integrated SD‑WAN/SASE plus edge compute is exactly what multi‑country QSR and convenience chains in Asia need to run thousands of kiosks with zero‑touch provisioning and central orchestration.
Rollback and uncertainty around U.S. tariffs will ripple through Asian manufacturing hubs—particularly China, but also Vietnam, Malaysia, and India—affecting hardware BOM costs, kiosk enclosure sourcing, and display supply chains for U.S. self‑service deployments.
Implications
AI & Edge Compute as Competitive Differentiators
Integrators and OEMs that embed AI‑driven checkout, loss prevention, and contextual personalization atop Intel‑class hardware will likely see stronger uptake in both self‑checkout and unattended retail segments.
Scale‑Up Requires Operations & Analytics
Operators must invest in telemetry, real‑time analytics, and cloud‑native fleet management to capitalize on unattended retail revenue growth — not just hardware deployments.
APAC as Leading Indicator
Rapid regional adoption in APAC suggests that global kiosk and self‑service strategies, including payment integration and digital signage, can be proven in Asia before wider global rollout.
Payments & Transaction Economics
As unattended retail drives increasingly higher ticket average and share of electronic payments, partnerships with payment processors and fintechs that optimize cashless conversions will be vital for ecosystem growth.
A Look at C27 included with Cash and Acrelec Self-Order
In a digital-first era, excluding cash from your self-service strategy is a missed opportunity for both inclusivity and operational efficiency. The Acrelec C27, powered by Glory’s cash automation technology, represents a shift toward a truly “one-stop” customer journey. This all-in-one, cash-enabled self-service kiosk combines state-of-the-art kiosk design with robust hardware to enhance convenience without sacrificing retail floor space.
Why Cash Inclusion Matters in 2026
Accessibility for the Unbanked: Offering cash, card, and mobile payment options ensures that every customer—regardless of their banking status—can benefit from self-service.
Operational Efficiency: Utilizing the Acrelec Transformation Platform (ATP) software, operators can manage multi-function capabilities within a single unit, streamlining business functions across a scalable platform.
Advanced Cash Recycling: The C27 features both banknote and coin recyclers that verify currency internally, reducing cash exposure and automating the deposit/dispense process.
Acrelec C27: Technical Excellence at the Edge
Built for high-traffic indoor environments, the C27 is constructed from durable steel and aluminum. It features a powerful Intel Core i3-8100T processor with 16GB of RAM, making it a capable platform for Edge AI applications like predictive maintenance or secure transaction monitoring.
The user experience is anchored by a high-brightness 27-inch LCD multi-touch panel and an integrated 1D/2D barcode reader for seamless scanning. For cash handling, the system is designed for speed, with banknote intake at 3 notes per second and coin handling at 5 coins per second.
Key Features of the C27 Cash System:
Security First: The unit includes an encryption interface and performs all verification within the device to avoid external cash exposure.
Smart Guidance: Dynamic “follow-me” LED guidance and error-recovery animations ensure a smooth user experience during cash transactions.
High Capacity: The banknote recycler holds up to 1,000 notes, while the coin recycler manages a similar volume, reducing the need for frequent manual intervention.
During a recent visit, Acrelec CEO Bruno LO-RE connected with local franchisee seghrouchni farid to see the installation firsthand. The restaurant features our C27 kiosks with integrated card readers alongside a compact Glory coin recycler — a seamless setup designed to optimize both digital and cash transactions in a compact footprint.
Starting Wednesday, most venues across South Korea that use automated kiosks will be required to install models accessible to people with disabilities. The move is part of a broader expansion of accessibility regulations as self-service systems continue to proliferate nationwide.
Under the updated standards, accessible kiosks must offer features such as voice guidance, braille or raised buttons, and adjustable screens or heights to accommodate users with visual or mobility impairments. Smaller businesses that qualify for exemptions can fulfill the mandate through alternative means, such as providing assistive devices or staff assistance.
The new requirement stems from a 2021 amendment to Korea’s disability discrimination law, which mandates reasonable accessibility accommodations in kiosk design and operation. Implementation has been phased in to reduce the burden on businesses.
The rule first applied in 2024 to public institutions and large workplaces with 100 or more full-time employees. It was extended last year to smaller businesses, which were granted a one-year grace period ending this week.
“In an era when kiosks are everywhere, guaranteeing access to information is not optional but a basic right,” said Lee Seu-ran, First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare. Lee added that central and local governments will work together to ensure the policy is enforced so that people with disabilities are not inconvenienced in daily life.
Exemptions apply to small establishments with less than 50 square meters of floor space or those that fall below industry thresholds for employee count or average sales. Such businesses may comply by offering alternatives including assistive devices, support staff, or a call bell. Failure to do so may result in complaints filed with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea and administrative fines of up to 30 million won (about $27,100).
The adoption of self-order kiosks in restaurants has surged in recent years, driven by efforts to cut labor costs and promote contactless service. A 2024 Korea Rural Economic Institute survey reported that the share of food service businesses using automated ordering systems climbed from 1.5 percent in 2019 to 12.9 percent in 2024. Among them, self-order kiosks made up 54.8 percent, far exceeding smartphone-based ordering at 35.6 percent.
However, many people with disabilities continue to face challenges. A Ministry of Health and Welfare survey conducted from 2024 to 2025 found that 161 of 540 respondents with disabilities had difficulty using kiosks. Of those, 80.1 percent cited automated ordering machines as the most difficult, followed by self-payment machines and ticket dispensers.
The most common frustrations included feeling rushed by waiting customers (54 percent) and trouble locating buttons or navigating menus (26.1 percent). Nearly 45 percent of kiosk users with disabilities said they preferred face-to-face assistance—more than double those who favored kiosks.
Similar accessibility measures are emerging abroad. The European Accessibility Act, passed in 2019, took effect last year to set minimum accessibility standards for products and services including self-service payment terminals. In the United States, while the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not establish detailed technical standards for kiosks, the Department of Justice has issued guidance requiring that such machines be operable with one hand and provide audible instructions for all functions.
More Korea Accessible Kiosk
South Korean startup Dot Inc. is also working to make digital interfaces more inclusive through its Dot Pad, a smart tactile graphics and multiline braille display that lets blind and low-vision users explore text, images, maps, and other on-screen content through touch. https://www.dotincorp.com/en/product/pad
LG is also pushing accessibility in self-service with its new Gen 2 self-ordering kiosks, developed with accessibility experts and featured on Kiosk Industry. These units build in inclusion from the start with motorized height adjustment, tactile input, voice guidance, and support for screen readers like JAWS for Kiosk, enabling blind, low-vision, and wheelchair users to order independently. https://kioskindustry.org/lgs-next-gen-kiosks-advance-a-better-life-for-all/
Two more distinct regulatory deadlines:
PCI DSS v4.0.1: While the big transition deadline was March 31, 2025 (making the “future-dated” requirements mandatory), many deployers are still navigating the operational shifts, particularly the new requirements for payment page script monitoring (6.4.3) and integrity checks (11.6.1), which are technically demanding for unattended kiosks.
HHS Accessibility (May 2026): There is a major upcoming deadline in May 2026 for the HHS Section 504 rule regarding digital accessibility for healthcare kiosks.
PCI DSS 4.0 Transition (Now in Effect)
The major shift underway is the transition from PCI DSS 3.2.1 to PCI DSS 4.0, with full enforcement timelines hitting in 2025–2026 depending on requirement type.
E-commerce script integrity controls (less kiosk, more web, but relevant if browser-based POS)
More rigorous service provider oversight
For unattended and self-service environments (QSR kiosks, ticketing, retail SCO), the real exposure areas are:
Remote access controls
Network segmentation
Third-party maintenance vendors
Logging retention
Physical security documentation
Secure boot / hardened OS configurations
kiosks versus pos pci
For kiosks and POS, the big implications are around stronger device standards, crypto, physical security, and moving away from legacy hardware and “set‑and‑forget” compliance.
Kiosks (especially unattended)
You need PCI‑approved unattended payment devices (PTS POI / UPT) with EMV and NFC, not generic card readers bolted into the enclosure
Physical security jumps in importance: bolting units down, anti‑tamper housings, secure mounting of PEDs and cables, plus video surveillance for unattended sites.
Remote management becomes a de‑facto requirement: secure remote updates, patching, logging, and monitoring of kiosk payment devices and OS, not just “ship and forget.”
Software and network scope get tighter: browser‑based payment flows, APIs to PSPs, and any local cardholder data handling must meet PCI DSS 4.x expectations for encryption, MFA on admin access, and continuous logging.
Example: a self‑order QSR kiosk with an older magstripe‑only head wired directly to the PC over USB and no casing tamper protection now fails both EMV expectations and PCI DSS 4.0 assumptions for secure card‑present capture and physical security.
POS systems
Legacy POS terminals and OS builds (think Win7, ancient Verifone/Ingenico, magstripe‑centric devices) are being treated as non‑compliant and high‑risk under PCI DSS 4.0, especially after the March 31, 2025 cutover.
POS needs to support modern crypto and key management, with enforced TLS, strong ciphers, and proper key inventory/rotation; “it encrypts somewhere” is no longer enough.
MFA and least‑privilege for POS admin accounts and any access into the cardholder data environment are becoming baseline rather than “nice‑to‑have.”
You’re expected to treat POS as part of a continuously monitored environment: central logging, regular vuln scans, and periodic penetration testing, not just annual SAQ paperwork.
Commercially, acquirers and ISOs are already using PCI DSS 4.0 as leverage to push merchants onto newer, integrated POS that support contactless, wallets, BNPL, and real‑time payments.
In 2025 December we looked at Self-Service market as a whole. Here is summary of that —
TIG Core Market Report.jpg
Grand Total — Global Self-Service Technology Market (2024)
180 Billion – $235 Billion per year]
Hardware + software + services + warranty + AI
This is the correct “full stack” number for TIG/KMA positioning.
It’s 2026, lets take another look, in another way. One of our supporters asked TIG about it and its a good time to issue 2026.
Kiosks (global revenue market)
These sources are broadly consistent that kiosks are already a ~$30B+ market and grow to ~$45B–$63B by ~2030, depending on definition (interactive kiosks vs self-service kiosks, what’s included in services/software, etc.).
2026→2031 view (helpful if you want a near-term “5-year plan” slide): $16.24B (2026) → $28.41B (2031) (CAGR ~11.84%).
Touchscreens / interactive displays (the commercial side)
This is where some numbers often go off the rails because some “touchscreen display market” numbers include phones/tablets (not what we muan). For our use case, we want commercial touch displays / interactive displays (retail, hospitality, healthcare, kiosks, education, etc.).
Interactive display market (broader than just touch panels; often includes solutions): $48.70B (2024) → $90.68B (2032).
Cautionary example (too broad for your deck unless you explicitly say it includes consumer devices): Touch Screen Display market $76.36B (2023) → $194.44B (2032).
Global installed base (already deployed): defensible range
High base (more kiosks, lower spend): $34B / $4k ≈ 8.6M kiosks
Defensible installed base range (global): ~3–9 million deployed kiosks A good “base case” midpoint for a pitch deck: ~5.5M.
This range is defensible because it’s constrained by a public revenue anchor (kiosk market size) and uses transparent unit economics rather than unverifiable “we think there are X kiosks” claims.
Bottom-up “sanity check” by vertical (ranges, not precision theater)
These are ranges we show as a banded bar chart (low/base/high). They’re designed to sum to the 3–9M triangulated envelope.
Suggested vertical split of deployed kiosks (global, already deployed)
QSR / Fast Casual ordering & pickup: 0.9M – 2.5M
High site counts + multi-lane drive-thru + dining room ordering drives volume.
Global cinema screens are commonly estimated around ~40k screens; multiplex footprints imply meaningful kiosk deployments at venues. (Use as directional only.)
Government / civic (DMV, benefits, courts, libraries, municipal payments): 0.10M – 0.35M
Slower rollouts but large installed base across jurisdictions.
Total (low/base/high):~2.45M / 5.50M / 8.85M (Aligns tightly with the revenue-implied 3–9M envelope.)
Scenarios
We are big on evolving modalities coming into play in self-service (touchscreens are the mainstay),
What about Conversational AI?
SLIDE 1
Global Installed Base of Deployed Kiosks (2024–2026)
Headline
3 – 9 Million Self-Service Kiosks Deployed Globally Base Case: ~5.5 Million
Annual Deployment Velocity (Replacement + New Growth)
Assuming 5–7 year lifecycle:
~15–20% of installed base refreshes annually
Base case refresh market: 5.5M × 15% ≈ 825,000 units/year
That is your annual recurring opportunity floor, before expansion growth.
Strategic Takeaway Slide
• The installed base is already massive • ~3M endpoints today can support conversational AI overlays • ~800K+ endpoints refresh annually • AI does not require new hardware in most cases • Attach rate drives exponential upside
Next we might:
Convert this into a clean visual bar-chart slide layout
Add CAGR forward projection to 2030
Create a TAM / SAM / SOM version
Or pressure test this against QSR chain counts specifically
Right now we are looking at one Uber kiosk in LaGuardia. Buthe expanded partnership between Adyen and Uber, announced in February 2026, represents a significant evolution in their 14-year relationship. This deal ensures Uber can scale rapidly in emerging markets by instantly adopting local payment habits while simultaneously solving a major “pain point” for travelers through new, physical booking hardware.The impact of this deal can be summarized across three key areas:
The partnership focuses on removing friction as Uber scales into diverse global markets.
New Geographic Footprint: Uber is using Adyen for payments in the UAE, Hong Kong, and the Caribbean.
Local Acquiring: They are expanding local processing in Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia to improve authorization rates and reduce transaction costs.
Alternative Payment Methods (APMs): By integrating local favorites like Pix (Brazil), Afterpay (Australia), and WeChat Pay (Global), Uber can better serve local users and international travelers who may not use traditional credit cards.
A major highlight of this announcement is the launch of physical Uber Kiosks, powered by Adyen’s point-of-sale terminals.
Target Audience: Designed specifically for travelers who lack a local data plan, have a dead phone battery, or do not have the Uber app installed.
User Experience: Users enter their destination on the kiosk, choose a ride type, and receive a printed paper receipt with trip details.
Strategic Rollout: The first kiosk is live at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Terminal C, with plans to expand to international airports, hotels, and ports globally.
Much wider support
Consolidated Platform: Uber is moving more of its global volume onto Adyen’s single “Checkout API,” simplifying its financial backend across 70 countries.
Omnichannel : This marks a transition for Uber from being a purely “in-app” digital company to a “unified commerce” player, bridging the gap between digital bookings and physical airport/venue infrastructure.
Growth Momentum: Adyen reported supporting “strong volume acceleration” for Uber in the US, UK, and Brazil over the past year, signaling that Adyen is capturing a larger share of Uber’s massive transaction volume.
How the real kiosks work
The image we provide is purely speculation. Uber has only shown the screen in pictures.
How they work | The real-world Uber kiosks are designed to be “phone-free” hubs. Here is the actual workflow they use:
Interface: A large touch screen where you enter your destination.
Payment: Integrated Adyen card readers (like the one shown in the image) to handle physical card or mobile wallet payments on the spot.
The Receipt: A critical feature for travelers without data plans; it prints a physical slip with the driver’s name, license plate, and car model so you can find your ride without needing to check an app.
Just read ISE review by Sixteen-Nine. It’s a terrific piece by Dave Haynes—classic “ISE field report” style: conversational, first-hand, and full of grounded industry insight rather than flashy hype. He does a great job balancing humor, personal anecdotes, and technical analysis.
Here are a few key takeaways and impressions from the article:
Big Picture: Haynes emphasizes that Integrated Systems Europe 2026 has now fully matured—not just in size (92,000+ attendees!) but in smooth operations. His early skepticism about four days being too long has turned into admiration for how well-organized and globally attended the event has become.
Incremental Progress, Not Big Bang: He hammers home the theme that the professional AV and digital signage industries rarely see radical yearly leaps. The improvements are incremental—better LED displays, more refined manufacturing, lower energy use—not revolutionary tech shifts. That theme aligns with a maturing industry.
AI: Promising but Uneven: Haynes notes AI was everywhere but not oversold. Many demos were superficial, but there were some strong standouts—like NetSpeek’s agentic AI for monitoring networks and ScreenCloud’s thoughtful AI direction. His metaphor comparing AI to the “engine under the hood” of a modern car was a sharp way to explain the hidden but critical role AI is starting to play.
Displays and Power Efficiency: The visual technologies—LED totems, color e-paper, mesh LEDs—show the industry’s blend of aesthetics and practicality. Energy consumption and sustainability are clearly big themes, especially with companies like Media Resources pushing reduced power draw.
Tone and Style: Haynes keeps it witty and self-aware—joking about cava-filled evenings, losing his voice, and “good luck” to Samsung selling $20K holographic signage. It feels like a seasoned insider’s voice who’s seen the cycles of hype and knows what’s truly practical.
If you step back, the article’s broader message seems to be: pro AV and digital signage are now in an era of refinement, not discovery—and AI is the next invisible layer that will quietly reshape how everything operates.
What “interactive” looks like at ISE now
Touch-first, but not touch-only
PCAP touchscreens, touch foils, kiosks, and touch video walls are still everywhere (Displax, Elo, Prestop, DTEN, etc.).
Interactive kiosks are now tightly tied to workplace, wayfinding, check-in, and self-service workflows rather than just “cool demos.”
Other interaction modes layered on
Cameras and sensors (for people counting, audience analytics, sometimes simple gesture triggers) are used alongside touch—less flashy “Minority Report” waving, more subtle sensing.
Voice is emerging in noisy‑environment‑ready hardware (like the voice‑AI speaker Haynes mentioned), though it is still a niche and usually paired with a screen rather than replacing it.
Mobile is part of the interaction mix: scan a QR, tap NFC, or use an app to drive the content on a larger shared display instead of everyone touching the screen.
Executive Takeway
Clarify your lane
“We’re the best generic CMS” is a weak story now. A stronger story: “We’re the easiest way for X-type business to do Y outcome” (e.g., grocery chains managing 10,000 shelf labels and 500 menu boards).
Build or adopt AI where it matters
Content and layout co‑pilot for non-technical staff.
Automated NOC / monitoring and remediation.
Lightweight micro‑apps that sit on top of BrightSign / VXT / LG / Google TV stacks.
De-emphasize features, emphasize lifecycle
Energy costs, uptime, remote management, and ease of change are what owners will care about through the next cycle more than one more transition effect or exotic display format.
Pro Tip — Organizations that treat design as appearance often revisit it through unplanned service costs, compliance exposure, and shortened hardware lifecycles. Those that treat design as a system—balancing brand, usability, and serviceability—build platforms that scale, endure, and deliver ROI long after deployment.
Before approving a kiosk design, leadership should ask not how it looks on day one, but how it performs in year three. From recent kiosk industry article.
Current direction of interactive
From gadget to workflow tool
New interactive workplace kiosks (DTEN + Appspace with Microsoft Places) show the emphasis on space booking, visitor check-in, and workplace analytics rather than pure signage.
Industrial and control-room touch solutions focus on reliability and ergonomics for operators, replacing buttons/knobs and tying into data dashboards.
Why touch still dominates
It’s intuitive and cheap. Easy to support at scale; most alternatives (full-gesture, pure voice) stumble on reliability, learning curve, or cost.
“Touch + something” (touch + sensors, touch + voice, touch + mobile) is where most serious deployments are going rather than abandoning touch.
What Does a Large Self Service Kiosk Deployment Require?
Deploying self-service kiosks across multiple locations poses different challenges than deploying a small number of units. As the number of kiosks increases, the importance of consistency in quality, configuration, installation, and long-term support grows.
Larger-scale deployments are not just about producing more units. It requires operational planning and design decisions that buyers can trust. Organizations that succeed at scale typically address these factors early, before inconsistencies become expensive problems.
Designing for Repeatable Production
When kiosks are produced in volume, the smallest design choices have the biggest impact. Inconsistent component placements, overly complex assemblies, or reliance on short-life-cycle parts can slow production and degrade the quality of the kiosk.
Scalable kiosk designs prioritize repeatability. This often means standardizing internal layouts, simplifying assemblies, and selecting components with long-term durability. Designing with production in mind helps maintain quality across every unit, regardless of deployment size.
Logistics and Deployment Readiness
Kiosks must arrive complete, protected, and ready for installation at locations with varying site conditions. Shipping damage, missing components, or incomplete preparation at install sites can delay deployments and increase costs. To reduce these risks, large-scale deployments often rely on engineered packaging, protective crating, and shipment methods tailored to finished kiosks. Reducing the amount of work required onsite limits the opportunities for error during installation.
Installation Across Locations
When kiosks are installed across multiple regions, installation is rarely handled by a single team. Internal staff, contractors, and third-party providers may be involved. Without standardized processes, installation quality can vary significantly. Some issues may include inconsistent mounting, improper cable routing, incomplete setup, or missed validation steps. These inconsistencies can affect performance and user experience. Reducing field installation problems is one of the most effective ways to improve deployment outcomes.
Long Term Service and Lifecycle Support
Scalable deployments must be supportable over time. Hardware that’s reliable will influence long term performances. A kiosk design that allows technicians to access and replace components efficiently reduces downtime and service costs. Clear maintenance guidelines and planned strategies help organizations keep kiosks running smoothly as fleets age.
Scaling with confidence
Large self-service kiosk deployments succeed or fail based on the decisions made long before the first unit is installed. What works for a small rollout often breaks down at scale, where consistency, reliability, and supportability become critical. By designing for repeatable production, planning for deployment readiness, standardizing installation practices, and building serviceability into every unit, organizations can avoid costly problems and protect their long-term investment.
Trust Kiosk Innovations
Scaling self-service kiosks successfully requires more than hardware. It requires a manufacturing and deployment strategy designed for security, consistency, reliability, and long-term serviceability. Kiosk Innovations specializes in supporting organizations through every stage of large-scale kiosk deployments. If you are planning a large-scale kiosk deployment, our team is ready to help you build a deployment strategy designed for long-term success. Contact Kiosk Innovations today to simplify your operation’s needs.
