What is a smart kiosk?

A smart kiosk is an interactive screen typically installed in a public space that provides users, visitors or passersby with essential information and services.
As a central element of smart city technology, a smart kiosk may provide users with:
- Transportation schedules and real-time status of public transportation
- Wayfinding help
- Information about local businesses, including opening hours and reviews
- Listings of community events
- Updates on weather
- Parking payment options
- Free WiFi
- Access to charging stations
- Access to emergency services

There is rapid and growing interest in smart kiosk technology as more urban areas join the smart cities movement. From city plazas and government buildings to bus stops and sidewalks, smart kiosk screens are popping up everywhere to provide citizens with access to the information they need at the precise moment and place they need it. But what is a smart kiosk exactly, and what are the benefits it provides to cities and their residence? This brief primer, “What is a smart kiosk?”, provides an overview of the technology and offers answers to frequently asked questions.

The smart kiosk is a kind of digital signage – an interactive screen that can be installed in public spaces to provide users with a wealth of information and services.

A smart kiosk is one element of smart city initiatives that seek to solve urban challenges through data and technology. Smart city technology collects data on city services, assets and resources using sensors and Internet of Things devices, and use analytics to transform that data into insight and intelligence. The benefits of smart city technology include improving the efficiency of city services and the quality of life for residents.

What is a smart kiosk designed to do?

A smart kiosk is designed to provide citizens, visitors, or passersby with access to information and city services. A smart kiosk typically has an interactive screen that allows users to easily seek and find the information they need.

What is a smart kiosk’s range of functions?

A smart kiosk can perform a wide range of functions, including:

Wayfinding – helping users to navigate city streets and find destinations.
Transportation – providing schedules and real-time status of buses, subways, trains and other forms of public transportation.
Listings – offering information about nearby businesses and restaurants (including reviews).
Events – providing details about entertainment and community events open to the public.
Payment – enabling drivers to pay for parking or citizens to pay city bills.
Information – dispensing details about news, weather and other public interest information.
Emergency services – allowing users to contact emergency services, including live assistance when needed.
Alerts – providing the public with severe weather warnings, Amber alerts and street closure information.
WiFi – serving as a free WiFi hotspot.
Charging stations – providing access to power for charging mobile devices.

What is a smart kiosk sensor?

A smart kiosk may also be equipped with sensors that can collect actionable information about traffic, public safety, environmental monitoring and other data that can inform smart street initiatives.

What is a smart kiosk’s benefit to citizens?

A smart kiosk provides citizens and tourists with access to information at the precise time and location where they require it, enabling them to interact more easily with city services and opportunities.

What is a smart kiosk’s benefit for cities?

A smart kiosk allows cities to better serve their citizens and visitors, connecting users with valuable information and communications, improving access to resources and enhancing the image of the municipality. The costs of a smart kiosk can be offset through advertising presented on the kiosk screen.

What is a smart kiosk infrastructure from Spectrum Enterprise?

Spectrum Enterprise provides connectivity solutions that are the foundation of today’s smart kiosk and smart city infrastructure. Spectrum technology includes a fully interactive digital network, gigabit connections to homes and businesses, 100 Gbps symmetrical speeds for local government and other large clients, thousands of WiFi hotspots and one of the nation’s largest LTE cellular networks.

Learn more about Spectrum Smart Cities at www.spectrumsmartcities.com.