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What is an Interactive Kiosk?
An interactive kiosk is a touch screen computer terminal that allows users to enter and access information or complete a transaction without assistance. This type of kiosk is often used to provide 24/7 self-service functions for tasks like placing and paying for food orders, checking bags at an airport, and taking cash out of a bank account.
Key Takeaways
- An interactive kiosk is designed to receive and respond to user input.
- People can use interactive kiosks to complete certain types of tasks without waiting for assistance.
- Interactive kiosk software can be tailored for specific tasks and industries.
- Businesses can use interactive kiosks to optimize staffing and provide customers with self-service options.
- Unlike human staff, interactive kiosks can operate around the clock without breaks.
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History of the Interactive Kiosk
How Interactive Kiosks Work
An interactive kiosk works through a combination of hardware components, software applications, and integration with backend services.
Here is how a user interaction with an interactive kiosk typically works:
- The user approaches the kiosk and engages with it through a touchscreen.
- The kiosk processes the user’s input and then interacts with a backend system to retrieve or send data.
- The kiosk completes the interaction by displaying information, issuing a receipt, or printing a ticket.
Most kiosks today use a touch-sensitive capacitive display. Inside the terminal, a central processing unit (CPU) handles all operations and controls the digital kiosk’s peripheral devices.
Interactive Kiosk Peripheral Components
The ability to incorporate a wide variety of peripherals is what makes interactive kiosks so versatile and adaptable for different industries and use cases.
In addition to a touch screen, peripherals may include:
- A laser printer that can print receipts, maps, or tickets
- A digital camera for facial recognition, monitoring user interactions, and video conferencing with a live representative
- Speakers to provide audio instructions and sound for multimedia content
- A scale to weigh purchases during self-checkout
- A magnetic stripe reader or PIN keypad to accept credit/debit cards and mobile payments
- An RFID or NFC reader for contactless payments
- Dispensers for issuing cash
Interactive Kiosk Examples: 5 Different Industries
Interactive kiosks are used in a wide variety of different industries.
For example:
- In healthcare, patients can use an interactive kiosk to check in for an appointment and complete a basic pre-screening questionnaire.
- In a retail store, customers can use an interactive kiosk to check the price of something.
- At a theater, an interactive kiosk can be used to view available seats and buy tickets.
- At an amusement park, an interactive kiosk can be used to view and purchase photos taken on rides or with park characters.
- At an airport, an interactive kiosk can be used to check baggage without waiting in line at the ticket counter.
Types of Interactive Kiosks
Different types of interactive kiosks include:
Benefits of Interactive Kiosks
Interactive kiosks offer a wide range of benefits for both businesses and users.
Here are some of the key advantages:
- Free up staff for other duties and improve overall workflow
- Enable customer self-service and reduce the need to staff checkout lines
- Boost sales by offering upselling or cross-selling promotions
- Reduce customer wait times and be made available for 24/7 use
- Gather valuable customer data about user preferences and behavior, which can be used later on to improve products, services, and marketing efforts
- Well-designed interactive kiosks can create a positive impression on customers and reinforce brand identity
- Provide multilingual support and have accessibility features that accommodate users with unique needs
- For some users, kiosks can provide a less stressful alternative to interacting with staff
Future Trends in Interactive Kiosks
Today, many interactive kiosks are single purpose. Focusing on a single function can simplify development and reduce hardware requirements, which in turn can lower deployment costs.
In the future, however, it’s expected that interactive kiosks will become more multi-functional and be able to take advantage of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
For example, in retail environments, users will be able to use the same kiosk to “try on” virtual clothes and pay for them. In real estate, the same interactive touchscreen kiosk could be used to take an immersive virtual tour, apply for a mortgage, and submit an offer.
The Bottom Line
Interactive kiosks, by definition, are capable of two-way communication. They are versatile, scalable, and the software they run can be adapted for a wide range of use cases. As technology continues to evolve, the interactive kiosk market is only expected to grow.
FAQs
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References
- Gladwin Techgen Pvt Ltd | Did you know? The first self-service kiosk, named the Plato Hotline, was developed by Murray Lappe in 1977. It revolutionized the way… | Instagram (Instagram)
- Plasma Display – Illinois Distributed Museum (Distributed Museum Illinois)
- Self Service Kiosks 101 – Kiosk Group (Kiosk Group)
