Self-Service Innovation awards finalists announced

One purpose of the inaugural Self-Service Innovation Virtual Summit Dec. 8 and 9 is to recognize products that are contributing to the dynamic industry. Hence, a key aspect of the summit is the Self-Service Innovation Awards.

The winners will be honored during an awards presentation at 4 p.m. EST on Dec. 8 sponsored by Carts Blanche. The summit will honor the most innovative solutions for kiosks and vending machines, and for adapting to the new normalcy of COVID-19 and its aftermath.

Readers of Kiosk Marketplace and Vending Times submitted nominations from August through October. A panel of judges reviewed the nominations and selected the winners in several categories: B2C Innovation of the Year, B2B Innovation of the Year and Best COVID-19 Solution.

Following are the three finalists in each of these three categories.

Best COVID-19 Solution

Contactless Touch for Interactive Kiosks

Submitted by Neonode

Contactless Touch by Neonode offers a touch sensor module preserves the familiar touch-button and touchscreen interfaces users have become accustomed to, but avoids the risk of spreading pathogens shed on physical buttons and screens.

The touch sensor module, based on the company's patented IR-based reflective zForce technology, projects a sheet of light that is responsive to touch. Mounting the touch sensor module parallel to an edge of a display raises a sheet of light above and in front of the display, creating in a touch interaction area.

This provides precise and accurate means to interact with a touchscreen, while eliminating the need for physical contact.

The module allows infrared touch to be implemented by mounting a sensor along only one edge of a display, compared to traditional infrared touch that requires a frame surrounding the screen with emitters on two adjacent sides and receivers on the opposing sides.

The touch sensor module can be deployed in new product designs or retrofitted into existing products to enhance existing touch-based products by making them contactless.

Personnel Management Kiosk

Submitted by Meridian

The Personnel Management Solution from Meridian features check-in and temperature verification capabilities that protect the health and safety of employees and guests.

The system, available in freestanding and countertop configurations, uses infrared technology to illuminate the face and analyze the person's facial features. Employees and regular visitors can register for repeat access to the facility by providing an ID, name and photo.

In addition, audio alarms can be programmed to sound when persons above a temperature threshold and those without access attempt to enter.

Persons with normal temperatures are permitted to enter the facility when the kiosk is in "guest" mode. Guest mode can also recognize employees by their facial features, but access is granted to anyone who does not have a fever.

"Recognition" mode only grants access to recognized visitors. The LED light at the top of the kiosk becomes green for a person who passes the face recognition and temperature check. The light becomes red with a message saying access is denied if the person is not recognized or has a high temperature.

TouchFree

Submitted by Ultraleap

Ultraleap's TouchFree allows companies to seamlessly retrofit existing kiosks and touchscreens.

TouchFree provides touchscreen emulation by detecting a user's hand in mid-air, converting it to an on-screen cursor and supporting interaction methods that users are familiar with.

Using Ultraleap's camera module and hand tracking software, alongside the TouchFree application, touchless gesture control can be added to any screen to create a hygienic alternative. The solution enables users to use hand gestures to control content on touchscreens without requiring them to physically touch the surface.

TouchFree is designed to run invisibly on top of existing user interfaces without the need for modifications to existing interfaces and design.

Ultraleap's technologies are currently in use in public environments like cinemas, theme parks and shopping malls, globally. The TouchFree solution was launched this year and is currently being piloted in various commercial settings like quick service restaurant menu ordering, beverage vending, bill payment machines, border security, as well as other use cases.

Innovation of the Year B2C

Freestyle Contactless Pouring on a Smartphone

Submitted by the Coca-Cola Co.

Coca-Cola Freestyle's contactless pouring solution allows consumers to choose and pour a drink from their phone in just a few seconds, without having to sign up for a membership or download an app.

Holding a camera phone up to the display auto-scans a QR code on the dispenser, which immediately connects to the cloud and brings the Freestyle user interface to the phone. Consumers can then select from the full menu of over 200 brands and flavors that are available on that specific dispenser, and pour directly from their phone.

A customer can go from looking at a QR code to pouring a drink in less than a second — without ever touching the dispenser.

Instead of implementing a mobile application that requires users to download, sign in and agree to terms of use, any user with a smart phone can leverage this innovation. Even older smart phones that do not have QR scanning capability built into the camera phone can access the contactless pouring innovation by typing in a URL into the phone's web browser.

By November, all 52,000 Freestyle machines in the U.S. are expected to include mobile pouring, with the remaining 8,000 worldwide to follow before the end of the year.

ONQ Converge Digital Engagement

Submitted by OnQ

The OnQ Converge solution blends the best aspects of physical and online shopping to deliver an informative in-store shopping experience, with data analytics to measure success and bolster lead-generation efforts.

The Converge platform consists of rail-mounted tablet displays that slide laterally, automatically displaying product information as customers position the tablet in front of different products on display. Customers then are able to view product specs and watch explainer videos.

The system combines a physical display experience with the product and a curated digital experience, all in the aisle at the point of sale. If the consumer wishes to purchase in-aisle or even take the information home for purchasing later, they enter their phone number which transfers the same experience to their personal device.

OnQ developed the solution when Fred Meyer engaged OnQ to redesign how the retailer presents products to its customers with a solution that uses interactive technology to enrich the in-store shopping experience.

Fred Meyer was able to achieve its goal of enabling its customers to shop electronics in a self-service environment.

RC Barista Unattended Robotic Café

Submitted by RC Coffee

RC Barista provides an authentic espresso experience in a convenient and modernized service, performing all the functions of a human barista using Eversys Cameo espresso machine technology. RC Barista delivers spectacular espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and blends with utmost precision and no variation.

Customers can order through the intuitive Dual LCD screen interface. Alternatively, they can order through touchless webflow or mobile app for a completely contactless experience. The customer simply enters their coffee preferences and receives their specialty coffee exactly how they want. Mobile app users' selected settings are saved for future orders. The app also allows customers to schedule the exact time for order pick-up.

The pilot location for RC Barista is live in downtown Toronto, in partnership with local cafe chain Dark Horse Espresso.

Innovation of the Year B2B

ema smart embedded modem

Submitted by OptConnect

OptConnect ema is a smart embedded modem solution for M2M and IoT applications. A fully certified LTE Category 4 modem with onboard intelligence, ema embedded firmware and software integrate with OptConnect's managed services. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent for the combination of hardware, software and on-board intelligence that provides Connectivity-as-a-Service.

The solution integrates with the following managed services: 24/7 carrier monitoring; 24/7 customer care center, warranty, real-time monitoring, private IP network connections, customer portal, auto reconnect feature, custom data plan(s), API integration, device level monitoring, data overage risk mitigation, fulfillment and JIT ship to site logistics, activation and configurations.

With plug-and-play functionality built-in, all the customer host board has to do is just use it. OptConnect manages the operational complexities of connectivity so customers can focus on their core business.

PicoCooler

Submitted by 365 Retail Markets

The 365 PicoCooler from 365 Retail Markets allows consumers to use a smartphone to unlock a glasfront cooler, select and pay for items, then relock the cooler. A small kiosk containing a chip reader for near-field communication payment attaches to the front of the glass-front cooler.

The self-checkout system that keeps coolers locked while a health timer keeps temperatures controlled and an interactive touchscreen allows consumers to easily and quickly check out.

The system is equipped with an automatic lock, built-in security camera, and health-timer lock for safety

Customers can pay using debit cards, credit cards, mobile wallets, a proprietary pay app.

The cooler supports all 365 Retail Markets promotions and allows locations to offer food in a more socially distanced manner than a traditional micro market.

An operator can also sell more expensive items in a PicoCoooler than a vending machine since the cooler does not have spirals.

Video Call Center

Submitted by Compunetix

Compunetix's Video Call Center for healthcare is a browser-based, real-time voice and video workflow solution for healthcare offices that need to remain available to their patients in a safe and secure manner. This HIPAA compliant solution enables secure communication with no download or application installation.

Patients need only click a secure link to be connected with health care offices via internet voice and video.

The solution supports high definition video connections, secure and encrypted media and data connectivity, video call transfer and routing and mobile access via smart devices such as phones and tablets and self-service kiosks.

The solution can provide instant, personalized service wherein a patient can converse face-to-face with a remote representative. The HD video and audio allow for clear communication, while its transfer and routing capabilities let the kiosk representative direct the call to the right healthcare specialist providing access to advanced care without the need to travel or wait at high traffic hospitals. The digital approach to patient care is becoming a preferred mode of communication, providing real-time virtual healthcare assistance.

The judges panel included:

• Christiana DiMattesa, director of in-store and experiential marketing, North America, Under Armour Inc.
• Rafik Hanna, vice president, IT, Taco Bell Corp.
• Michael Kasavana, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at the National Automatic Merchandising Association.
• David Kepron, owner/principal, Retail (r)Evolution.
• Elliot Maras, editor, Vending Times and Kiosk Marketplace.
• Adam Pierno, associate vice president, marketing strategy, Arizona State University.

Photos submitted by nominees.