Kiosks are no longer the new kid on the block in retail and hospitality technology. But we still haven’t reached the end of the discovery phase exploring new applications and use cases for these wonderfully versatile devices.
You might associate self-service kiosks most closely with checkout points inside stores, or fast-food ordering stations. But kiosks are not restricted to indoor deployments. Increasingly, they are being rolled out in outdoor locations, too.
In this blog, we explore some of the most common use cases for outdoor kiosks. And weigh up some of the things you have to consider about having a kiosk outdoors.
Outdoor Kiosk Examples
Kiosks are already a familiar sight in certain outdoor situations. Some of the most prominent include information kiosks used in metropolitan areas to provide a broad range of services to the general public, including wayfinding, transport and tourist information.
It’s common to find kiosks of this type with interactive maps to guide pedestrians around civic and shopping districts. These will often be linked to directories of destinations and amenities, and include journey planning tools for exploring further afield. They might also provide real-time updates on local events, public notices and even the weather. Or have tools for contacting emergency services to report incidents and request assistance.
Other examples include unmanned ticketing kiosks for public transport. These can take the form of large screen interactive payment consoles such as those often found at railway stations or public car parks, or smaller ‘tap-and-go’ examples that you’re more likely to find at bus and tram stops. Smaller form payment kiosks are also used for things like e-bike and scooter rental, while mobile versions are deployed at events to assist with ticket scanning.
Some emerging use cases for outdoor kiosks include self-service ordering at fast-food drive thrus, mirroring the widespread use of interactive kiosks inside QSRs. This builds on the fact that digital menus have been used at drive-thrus for many years, and usually involves replacing the microphone and speaker link to a member of staff with a voice AI assistant built into the screen.
Another interesting trend to watch is the rising number of ‘smart’ vending machines being used to sell a range of goods, reaching way beyond the typical snacks and drinks. With examples being used to provide 24/7 access to everything from pharmaceuticals to electronic goods, some are even borrowing from the pick-up locker model for security.
Getting the Most Out of Outdoor Kiosks
Locating kiosks outdoors creates a new set of challenges compared to having them safely tucked away indoors. Most obviously, they need to be more durable and weatherproof, as well as counter the heightened risk of vandalism. Another consideration is ensuring screens are visible and work efficiently in both bright sunlight and darkness.
Here’s a summary of the main considerations for achieving long-term durability and optimal usability for an outdoor kiosk:
- Screen Visibility: Bright sunlight makes screens difficult to see. The solution is to use high-brightness, high-efficiency LED backlighting paired with anti-reflection coatings to minimize glare. Another challenge posed by direct sunlight is UV damage, so coatings should also be UV-resistant.
- Temperature Management: Being located outdoors means that kiosks will be exposed to extremes of temperature. With high temperatures from direct sunlight capable of causing damage to electronic circuits and oxidation of components, outdoor kiosks need to be designed to dissipate heat efficiently, with features such as thermal vias on circuit boards, heat pipes and sinks, and active cooling systems. For very cold conditions, touchscreen displays have to be manufactured using special liquid crystal materials so they remain responsive in freezing temperatures, while thermostat-controlled heating will prevent components seizing up.
- Touchscreen Performance: It isn’t just cold temperatures that can adversely affect touchscreen performance. Rain, sleet and snow also interfere with touch sensitivity, while it should be anticipated that some users of outdoor kiosks will be wearing gloves. Resistive touchscreens are recommended for outdoor use, and they should be mounted in fully sealed waterproof casings with a high IP rating.
- Vandalism and Damage Resistance: Finally, outdoor kiosks are more prone to vandalism, especially in quiet and unmonitored locations overnight. They therefore have to be built to be as tough as possible, with features including reinforced screens, tempered glass, and strengthened polycarbonate casings. Security features such as tamper-proof locks and built-in cameras provide an additional layer of protection.
Get in touch with the Oxhoo team to find out more.