Video terminals: Applications for interaction and personal advice

The modern world is changing. With the demands of digitalization and the expectations for flexible solutions and interactive information delivery, the need for innovative approaches is growing.

This applies to the commercial sector as well as to museums, galleries and exhibition spaces in the art world.

Video terminals offer diverse opportunities to improve customer experience and information dissemination in both brick-and-mortar retail and cultural settings. By utilizing modern technologies such as AI and AR , these terminals can provide interactive, informative, and personalized content that engages and retains visitors and customers alike.

Practical applications and case studies show that the correct implementation of such solutions can lead to increased satisfaction, higher visitor numbers and ultimately increased sales.

The use of technologies such as  video consultation software  a key role here. Video kiosks, interactive terminals with integrated video communication, offer companies the opportunity to take personal consultation to a completely new level. They combine the convenience of digital solutions with the commitment of direct interaction, thus creating a modern, efficient customer experience.

What are video kiosks?

A video kiosk is a stationary solution that allows customers and visitors to communicate with a consultant in real time via a terminal. These terminals are equipped with touchscreens, cameras, microphones, and speakers, enabling seamless video chat. The underlying video consultation software ensures a stable and secure connection that meets Privacy

Users can easily operate the kiosk by selecting a department or specifying a topic for which they require information or advice via the touchscreen. The connection is then established automatically, and a qualified person is connected within seconds. This eliminates the need to endure long waiting times in branches or to resolve complex inquiries via less interactive channels such as email or telephone.

Video terminals in brick-and-mortar stores

Benefits for customers

Video kiosks offer a variety of advantages that significantly improve the customer experience:

1. Product information and availability : Video terminals can offer detailed information about products, such as technical data, availability in different branches, or online ordering options.
2. Time savings:  Customers can access advice without having to endure long waiting times. They receive immediate support, whenever and wherever they need it.
3. Flexibility:  Whether in a bank branch, a shopping center or a government office – video kiosks are available in central locations and can be used regardless of location.
4. Interactive advertising and promotions : You can display personalized advertising content based on customer data or current sales promotions.
5. Personal support:  Despite the digital interface, the interaction remains personal. Video chats allow eye contact, which strengthens trust and promotes empathetic communication.
6. Accessibility:  Many kiosks are designed to be usable by people with disabilities, for example through height-adjustable monitors or subtitles.
7. Virtual fitting rooms : Terminals with integrated augmented reality (AR) enable virtual fitting rooms for clothing or accessories.

Advantages for companies

Businesses also benefit from video kiosks, both from an economic and an organizational point of view:

1. Resource efficiency:  Specialist staff no longer need to be on-site to provide consulting services. Instead, consultants can manage several kiosks from a central location.
2. Scalability:  Companies can offer the service even at locations with low customer traffic without incurring high fixed costs for on-site staff.
3. Modern image:  The use of video kiosks signals a spirit of innovation and customer focus, which strengthens the brand image and contributes to customer loyalty.
4. Increased customer loyalty : Personalized and interactive content makes customers feel better informed and cared for.
5. Increased sales : Sales can be increased through targeted advertising and easily accessible product information.

Data security:  The use of specialized video consultation software ensures that conversations and exchanged information remain secure and confidential.

Exemplary applications

• Best Buy case study : In Best Buy stores, video terminals provide access to comprehensive product information and customer reviews, which supports customers' purchasing decisions.
• Nike House of Innovation : Here, video terminals offer interactive content about products and allow customers to browse digital catalogs and personalize products.

Video terminals in museums, art galleries and exhibition spaces

Benefits for visitors

1. Multimedia content : Video terminals can provide supplementary videos, audio guides and interactive content that enhance the exhibition experience.
2. Virtual tours : Visitors can take virtual tours of the museum or gallery, which is particularly helpful for large or frequently visited exhibitions.
3. Background information : In addition to the exhibits, terminals provide detailed information about artists, historical contexts, and art techniques.

Advantages for the institutions

• Increased educational impact : By incorporating multimedia and interactive content, complex topics become more accessible and interesting.
• Accessibility : Video terminals can offer content in various languages ​​and formats (e.g., sign language, subtitles) to reach a wider audience.
• Interactivity and engagement : Visitors are actively involved in the exhibition experience, leading to a deeper understanding and a stronger emotional connection.

The Irish software company Unique Interactive creates such exhibition presentations of a new era by combining high-quality design and innovative technology. They design immersive interactive solutions to redefine the museum experience and reflect the expectations of an interactive world.

The modern solutions can be tailored to any device, from interactive on-site terminals to virtual experiences via web-based online presentations and smartphone applications.

Exemplary applications

Museums and galleries have developed various solutions for presenting media art. Some solutions are quite simple. For example, one of the Ars Electronica Festival an installation where terminals stood on individual small raised boxes on the floor, surrounded by comfortable mats on which people could rest.

Several years ago, an exhibition at the Mass MoCA a long freestanding shelf for several terminals where visitors could stand while interacting with the artworks.

At the New Museum in New York, a kiosk at the entrance to a gallery was constructed to surround a column with several different terminals with attached stools on which visitors could sit while watching videos and experiencing interactive multimedia content.

Other showcases include:

• The British Museum : Video terminals are available in various exhibition rooms, providing deeper insights into the exhibited works and their historical context.

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) : MoMA uses interactive terminals to give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the exhibited artworks and artists, and even to experience virtual installations.
• ArtScience Museum Singapore: This interactive museum uses striking art to explore science and our relationship to the physical world. In the permanent exhibition Future World, visitors learn how even small human interactions can affect the environment: Large projections of natural landscapes react to their movements, illustrating the impact of humans on nature.
• House of Music, Vienna: The House of Music in Vienna invites you on a fascinating journey of discovery into the world of sounds and melodies. In the interactive exhibitions, you have the opportunity to explore the roots of sound and learn how it is transformed into music.

Use Cases: Numerous use cases across many industries

We've already mentioned a few application examples. Here's another list of specific video terminal applications that can be used in various industries:

01 Retail

• Interactive product catalogs : Customers can browse products, read reviews and check availability.
• Virtual fittings : Augmented reality allows customers to try on clothes and accessories without having to physically put them on.
• Personalized recommendations : Terminals that use customer data to display personalized product recommendations and special offers.
• Self-service checkouts : Customers can scan and pay for their purchases to avoid long queues.

02 Museums and art galleries

• Interactive exhibition guides : Visitors can access background information on exhibits and view multimedia content such as videos and audio guides.
• Virtual tours : Visitors can take interactive tours through the museum or gallery and receive more in-depth information.
• AR installations : Augmented Reality terminals that allow historical events or works of art to be seen in a new context.
• Artist profiles : Detailed biographical information and interviews with artists, accessible through the terminals.

03 Travel and Tourism Industry

• Interactive city guides : Terminals that provide real-time information about attractions, restaurants, and events in the city.
• Virtual tours of tourist attractions : Visitors can virtually explore local attractions and receive background information.
• Booking systems : Travelers can book tickets for local events, museums or transport directly via the terminals.

04 Gastronomy

• Self-order terminals : In restaurants and cafes, guests can place their orders themselves and create personalized menus.
• Virtual kitchen tours : Guests can be guided through the kitchen and see how their meals are prepared.
• Nutritional information : Detailed information about ingredients, allergens and calorie content of the foods.

05 Healthcare

• Check-in terminals : Patients can check in themselves, which reduces waiting times in hospitals and clinics.
• Interactive health information : Terminals that provide information on diseases, treatments and preventative healthcare.
• Virtual doctor consultations : Patients can make direct video calls with doctors for quick consultations.

06 Educational institutions

• Interactive learning stations : Students can complete learning modules through videos, interactive quizzes and simulations.
• Library catalogs : Access to digital catalogs, e-books and scientific articles.
• Virtual classrooms : Participation in virtual lectures and seminars via the terminals.

07 Public service sector

• Digitized citizen services : Terminals in town halls or citizen service centers allow citizens to submit applications, fill out forms and retrieve information about services.
• Information kiosks : Providing information about public transport options, city maps and emergency services.

08 Events and Trade Fairs

• Interactive exhibition guides : Visitors can access information about stands, speakers and program items.
• Networking tools : Visitors can connect with exhibitors and other participants via the terminals.
• Live streaming : Broadcasting of live lectures and workshops that can also be followed on-site.

These exemplary applications of video terminals impressively demonstrate the diverse possibilities for improving the user experience and optimizing information delivery. They already utilize advanced technologies such as augmented reality , AI, and cloud-based services to provide interactive and personalized content.

DIY: Design your own interactive kiosk

Video kiosks are enjoying increasing popularity due to their flexibility and versatility. Software developer OptiSigns promises that its interactive kiosk app can effortlessly transform a touchscreen into an engaging and intuitive experience in less than three minutes. The unique feature: users don't need any programming knowledge.

Technological developments and trends

The world never stands still. Technological developments in the field of video terminals are therefore proving to be rapid, even disruptive. The following technologies are likely to be key drivers of further groundbreaking innovations:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) : AI-based video terminals can offer personalized content and recommendations based on user interactions and preferences.
• Augmented Reality (AR) : The integration of AR into video terminals offers immersive experiences, such as overlaying historical events into current exhibitions.
• Cloud-based platforms : Video terminals that cloud-based services enable real-time updates and centralized content management across different locations.