Review: KIOSK EUROPE EXPO 2009

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KIOSK EUROPE EXPO 2009 took place for the third time this May at Messe Essen, Germany, co-located with Europe’s largest digital signage event, DIGITAL SIGNAGE EXPO 2009. The 2009 events consolidated the shows’ standing as an essential meeting point for industry experts and purchasing decision makers from around the globe.
 
The show was very well-attended, with almost 3,300 visitors – a particularly impressive feat given today’s market conditions. There were a very strong proportion of end clients and an extremely high number of decision makers: two thirds of the visitors were decision makers, with managing directors making up 49% of the visitors, an increase of 30% over last year. By their own account, more than 60% of the visitors will install self-service or digital signage solutions within the next 12 months.
 
A wide range of exhibits for every possible selfservice application and all vertical markets were on show in the main exhibition hall, from public service kiosks and information kiosks to first aid healthcare kiosks and retail checkout kiosks. The event also saw a great variety of technology geared towards enriching the possibilities of self-service, including touchscreens, keyboards, printers, cash and card acceptors, and contactless payment solutions. Exhibitors included Wincor Nixdorf, friendlyway, Höft and Wessel, Oki Systems, Star Micronics, Epson, Verifone, Provisio and Innova, to name but a few.
 
A range of cutting edge technologies were demonstrated at the Self-Service Futures Parlour through a variety of prototype applications. Special topics here included the development of augmented and virtual reality at the POS and the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) as a payment or information tool and an enabler for mobile self-service. A new multi-touching system, developed by Elektrosil, which provides detection of up to 32 simultaneous touch points, was also on show here, as well as an RFID triggered intelligent changing room equipped with a touchscreen and mirror from MUL Services. Visitors much enjoyed the opportunity to try out these new technologies for themselves.
 
Meanwhile, throughout the show the Open Self-Service and Digital Signage Solutions Forum gave visitors a chance to learn about real-life case studies and experiences. This year, its drop in, drop out format and central location meant visitors were able to make the most of both the engaging presentations and the exhibits on show. Talks which met with particular interest included a discussion by Dr Joachim Quantz of Art & Com Technologies’ interactive tables and walls for exhibition centres and museums, such as the exciting installations at the BMW Museum in Munich, and Polygon’s instruction kiosks for site access given by Michael Reuter. Jens Schindler, President of the European Association for Self-service (EAFS), also gave a talk outlining what the new self-service association has been doing to represent the interests of all participants in the self-service industry.
 
EAFS also exhibited at KIOSK EUROPE EXPO 2009, as well as launching an annual Self-Service Award. Three awards were presented at the gala dinner on 6th May 2009. The category of best self-service application went to Power Products for its first aid kiosk with integrated defibrillator and onscreen manual as well as an automated alert to the emergency services. The category of best technology went to 3M for its Command Strip innovation, which is a removable sealing strip which solves a common touch screen maintenance issue of many self-service solutions. With this new technology, no specialist tools are required for fast, on-site repair of common touch screen damage. Fraunhofer HHI won the award for most innovative solution for its Virtual Mirror kiosk which allows customers to try on clothes while changing the colour or patterns of the clothing via a single click on the touchscreen. This augmented reality screen serves as a mirror to show viewers how they would look in items of clothing without having to try them on physically.
 
Next year, KIOSK EUROPE EXPO 2010 and DIGITAL SIGNAGE EXPO 2010 will once again bring together top decision makers and top innovators at Messe Essen, Germany, from 15th – 17th June 2010.