< PreviousLanguage Processing (NLP), a behavioural technology that automatically manipulates natural language, which has already proven to be successful in the consumer market. However, NLP has yet to truly penetrate the business community and take advantage of a market that’s ripe for innovation. How voice becomes integrated with supplemental commands for the primary touch experience will be developmental for the next-generation user experiences. Meanwhile, gesture-based recognition uses cameras to feed images into a sensing device, providing real-time data to a computer. This alternative user interface falls within the touchless technology industry, that includes advancements in smart cars, virtual assistants, online customer support, smart homes, augmented reality games and many more. Gesture will undoubtedly have a strong influence on the future of automation technology, but when working in tandem with voice and touch, the benefits go beyond video games and other touchless interfaces and extend to applications that can solve some of society’s toughest problems. For instance, the touch, voice and gesture interface trio interacts with an entire person rather than one aspect of their body, reducing pain and fatigue, maintaining comfort and preserving computer-input natural interface during long hours of interaction—all-important TOUCH SYSTEMS When working in tandem with voice and touch, the benefits of gesture go beyond video games and extends into applications that can solve some of society’s toughest problems 20KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINETOUCH SYSTEMS 21 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE benefits of the user experience, especially for applications in the military, medical and other professional fields with staff that work long hours in challenging environments. Innovators have also turned toward the corporate buyer, specifically the board room, where exciting work is being done to increase collaboration among employees and create a more comfortable atmosphere in the board room, company offices and beyond. Using voice, gesture and touch, we are looking at developing a next-generation, collaborative- based conference system, equipped with embedded microphones and voice-recognition cameras centred around a digital touchscreen whiteboard—all of which is enabled for virtual attendees to get the full board room experience. Imagine taking a trip to your favourite fast-food restaurant. You’re greeted by a kiosk that actually communicates with you. After you exchange pleasantries with the kiosk, you gesture your hand to turn a digital page on the screen. You see what you like so you reach up to the kiosk and touch your selection. As you’re walking out with your hot food, a voice calls out your name. You turn around and see the kiosk holding out the credit card that you mistakenly left behind. Products like these will succeed if they operate as it is intended. As a 30-year touch-systems engineer, I know all too well that it is one thing to build something, another to build it well. You want to get it right the first time, otherwise, you may get leap-frogged by your competitors. Just look at what happened to early eBook adopters, which originally brought their eBook readers to market much sooner than Amazon. Due to glitches and poor integration of the technology, the user experience was terrible, and customers left for a new online store called Amazon. And we know how that story ends. It’s an exciting time for inclusive touch systems, especially as companies continue to integrate touch with perceptual-user interfaces like voice and gesture-recognition into one interface that utilises the best of each technology—ultimately changing the way we communicate with computers and each other.VIRTUAL LEARNING 22KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINET he Office for National Statistics measured that in April 2020, 46.4 per cent of people in employment completed some form of work from home. Of these people, 86 per cent did so as a consequence of the pandemic. Meanwhile, virtual learning opportunities have exploded into a variety of professional sectors. Learning in the workplace has been recognised as essential to business growth. Technology has been the largest driver of innovation within learning environments, and computers have opened access to channels of knowledge from around the world. In the LinkedIn Workplace Learning report, 94 per cent of employees said that if their company invested in their career development, they would stay in that company for longer. Engaging with employees is essential for driving this retention. Virtual learning opportunities mean that access to new methods of training is expansive. Today, staff can learn from home and hone their skills more easily using digital and technological methods. The shift to virtual learning has shown potential for more digitised training in the future. Here, we look at the benefits of embracing digital platforms for both individuals and workplaces, and what the future of virtual learning has to offer. Virtual conference The most common forms of virtual work that many people would have experienced in the past year, are through video conferences and meetings. Downloads of Microsoft Teams and Zoom have spiked during the pandemic with many workplaces adapting to employees working from home. In the UK, the average monthly Google searches for ‘Microsoft Teams’ increased by 742 per cent between January and March of 2020 alone. Video calls and training have been used to continue learning in the workplace. It has also helped for collaboration between colleagues despite isolated workspaces. Importantly, it has allowed training sessions to be recorded, meaning that anyone can review lectures or instructions again for further clarity. We can expect to see these virtual conferences expand into new territory going forward. Virtual reality (VR) can allow digital avatars to meet in digital spaces. The use of virtual reality training will expand the potential for collaborative work VIRTUAL LEARNING IS VIRTUAL LEARNING THE FUTURE OF WORK? The working environment has changed over the past year. Social distancing restrictions mean that many people have been obligated to work from home. This has affected work across many sectors – particularly when it comes to training. ANDREW RICHARDSON COPYWRITER MEDIAWORKS 23 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINEtoo. With VR, images, diagrams and models can be managed and altered in real-time among the presence of colleagues. The use of VR headsets also allows users to immerse themselves into a meeting environment, bringing them closer to other workers – even if they’re on the other side of the world. Understanding your environment Some working environments can be complex. Understanding the schematics of factories and machinery is essential for the safety of workers. Specialist staff usually have to study through manuals, use simulated equipment, or be given extensive training on real equipment. Fortunately, virtual learning tools can help make the experience more immersive and efficient. VIRTUAL LEARNING Real factory environments can be scanned, mapping out the environment, allowing workers to learn the space without having to visit the site. 24KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE Real factory environments can be scanned using lasers mapping out the environment. This allows workers to learn the space without having to visit the site or intrude on working operations. Equally, interactive 3D models can be configured to match machinery and equipment used by a workforce. From turning valves, pressing buttons, and locating tools, VR can help with real training scenarios. While malfunctions may be uncommon in the workplace, their importance in terms of safety means they are paramount for any workplace training. Virtual simulations can replicate these malfunctions which may not be demonstrable on real equipment. Sounds, alarms and emergency lighting can also be adapted in VR scenarios. This makes the virtual learning environment even more accurate than merely viewing the equipment in person. VIRTUAL LEARNING Augmented reality can reinforce active learning opportunities and help workplaces develop staff 25 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE Mixing with reality The future of virtual learning does not belong to VR headsets and video conferences alone. Augmented reality is also a useful virtual learning tool that can be used when working from home or in workplace settings. This may be most useful for engineers, architects, and designers, looking to see their work in scale and in real-time – even before it has been made. Augmented reality combines elements of the digital world with that of the real world. Cameras, phones, and other computer devices can alter images of the real world, changing aspects of your immediate space to help with training methods. This may include adding a 3D model onto your desk, using your mobile device as a filter to move around the object, inspecting aspects of your work closely. This may help to identify issues that can be missed using computers alone. Interfaces can also be added to objects, allowing objects in the real world to become interactive when they are touched or approached. This is important for learning. One study found that in educational settings, examination scores were 6% higher among students who studied in an active learning environment. Those who learnt through traditional lecturing were also 1.5 times more likely to fail than these students. In the workplace, augmented reality can provide in-depth training for professionals and help to increase understanding of complex processes and equipment. Augmented reality can reinforce active learning opportunities and help workplaces develop their staff with efficiency. The potential for virtual learning in the future is huge. As processing power improves, our virtual experiences become more immersive, meaning that the method of instruction can also improve. Whether through intelligent simulations or augmented collaboration, the growth of virtual learning in the workplace can have benefits for every sector.T he challenge now is how to manage capacity constraints so that people take their second dose smoothly. This article presents some automated solutions that can help to streamline the flow before, during and after the vaccination journey: Online Appointment Booking People can book online appointments in advance to avoid crowds and maintain social distancing. They can wait outside the centre until they get an SMS notification about their turn. Alternatively, they can wait in an area that complies with social distancing rules. People can check-in by scanning a QR code when arriving at the centre and enjoy a touchless experience Self-service kiosks Walk-ins with eligible documents can register through self-service kiosks inside the centre and join the vaccination journey. Through integration with advanced appointment booking, the system offers the flexibility to re-arrange and swap the appointment slots. For instance, if a nurse finishes the vaccination early, the advanced system can utilise/occupy the remaining time by calling one of the waiting people to get vaccinated. People can also book for their second vaccination thorough KYC kiosks, with the ability to scan ID cards and any other required documents. They can also add their feedback about the vaccination experience through the touchscreen kiosks. Omni-channel to better inform and guide Keep people informed about the availability status of the vaccination room, recovery room, or emergency room etc. The system calls the next person in line for vaccination by mobile, digital screens or audio announcement system. Dynamic allocation: advanced flow management system Having an advanced queue management system, with smart integration with both online booking and self-service kiosk will help to better manage the people flow to avoid waiting in queues, PATIENT JOURNEY COVID-19 pandemic brings a compelling urgency to maximise immunisation of populations. Many countries have started vaccination campaigns against the coronavirus. It is critical for governments and ministries of health to immediately respond and implement satellite or off-site clinics for mass vaccination, for instance, renting spaces in Expo centres and temporary marquees or tents. DUHA FAIDI MARKETING MANAGER SEDCO 26KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE A SEAMLESS PATIENT JOURNEY AT VACCINATION CENTRESPATIENT JOURNEY 27 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINEwhere the system can: • Notify the nurse whenever a room is sanitised and ready. • Call the next person to be vaccinated by a “Flow Nurse”, who can control the queue with a simple click on a tablet. • Provide a colour coding feature: for a more convenient journey, the system matches the room colour to the floor signage, aiming to guide people to the right room. • Auto-relocate people to the recovery area post-vaccination. • Notify the nurse after a specific time to verify people’s health condition to ensure no symptoms have appeared prior to discharge. Power of BI: monitor the whole vaccination journey in real-time Take the extra mile to ensure a seamless vaccination journey for people. With BI system, supervisors can view live dashboards and maps to monitor the status of each hall/room/nurse in the vaccination centres. It offers live monitoring, SMS alerts, and advanced reporting about: • Efficiency at each clinic. • Peak hours. • Performance of centres, nurses and counters. PATIENT JOURNEY Automated solutions that can help to streamline queues in the vaccination journey Help better manage the people flow to avoid waiting in queues 28KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINEThe inurface group has announced the purchase of interactive technology brand We Are Interact and technology platform, EventsTag. The purchase represents a desire from inurface and the group’s CEO, Josh Bunce, to reinvent the retail environment; creating superior innovative experiences for customers, ready to encourage shoppers back to our high streets once our bricks and mortar retail offering are able to reopen. With twenty years combined experience, Josh and We Are Interacts CEO Dan Strang, aim to work together to create innovative and immersive experiences that will excite and entice the consumer. inurface Media, launched in 2012, is an end-to-end digital signage solutions provider that has worked with some of retails best-known brands, including New Look, Boots and Dr Martens. The aim, to work in close collaboration with their clients to capture and retain audience attention thanks to the application of digital media and content strategy. Within the inurface Group, a collection of businesses support this ethos, each with different areas of expertise, which when combined create unique, bespoke and flexible packages. We Are Interact brings to the group not only a specially developed software platform but the experience of a number of large-scale events, both of which add to to the inurface offering. Having gained an investment of 1.5 million pounds in 2015 We Are Interact has carved itself a fantastic reputation within the experiential events space over the last eight years. Boasting projects with brands including Asics, The O2 and Harpers Bazaar in the past. 2020 presented huge challenges for business across the UK and unfortunately, with the ceasing of virtually all events, We Are Interact was unable to continue to operate independently. Having worked together previously on projects, including installations in the Sports Direct flagship store and at Chelsea Football Club, the merging of the two-businesses made complete sense to inurface CEO Josh. Unifying the businesses separate strengths, contacts across the industry and their values to offer one-of-a-kind solutions to the retail sector. Providing this new and elevated offering, with one-off events and longer-term interactive installations in stores, will help to transform the overall shopping experience and environment for both clients and consumers. This is at a time where it is needed more than ever to encourage footfall and investment in our retail spaces. Ventola Projects has bolstered its US reputation with the appointment of a 25-year veteran of the amusement and entertainment market. Tony Tallarico is the new Director of US Operations, following a period of strong success in the US Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) lighting market. The role, which will see Tallarico based near Richmond, Virginia, will help expand Ventola’s presence, having already set up its LED lighting service & installation operation in the bright lights of Las Vegas. “We’re extremely pleased to add someone of Tony’s calibre to head up our US team,” said Ventola Projects founder Mick Ventola. “Tony is someone who we have known for a few years now, having been someone who helped us build connections and deliver expert knowledge of the US FEC scene when we first began taking orders in the USA during 2016.“ The recruitment is already paying dividends with the acquisition of a new project win in Waterloo, Iowa and a number of other prospective projects. MOVERS AND SHAKERS 29 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE INURFACE ACQUISITIONS BRINGS EXPERIENTIAL TO THE HIGH STREET VENTOLA HIRES US FEC SPECIALIST IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR MOVER OR SHAKER PUBLISHED ON THIS PAGE, EMAIL US AT: EDITOR.KDSEUROPE.COM MOVERS AND SHAKERS A round up of promotions, structural changes and new recruits across the kiosk and digital signage industry Next >