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Self-service spotlight at CES 2014

This year's Consumer Electronics Show offers up some new tech with implications for kiosks and self-service.

January 8, 2014 by Natalie Gagliordi — Editor of KioskMarketplace.com, Networld Media Group

The Consumer Electronics Show may be abuzz with wearable technology, connected homes and smart cars, but amidst the hodgepodge of exhibitors there have been several showcases and product announcements with implications for the kiosk and self-service industry.

Corning Gorilla Glass

If there's one major deterrent for public-use technologies, it's likely the risk of picking up some unwanted bacteria left behind from a prior user's fingertips (or other more nefarious excrement portals).

As touch technologies proliferate, consumers have become more aware of how bacteria can exist on shared touch-enabled surfaces, giving kiosk manufacturers the challenge of reassuring users that it is safe to interact with their technology.

So Corning has developed its Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass, an EPA-registered antimicrobial cover glass that is formulated with ionic silver. The antibacterial agent is incorporated into the glass surface to help keep it clean of bacteria and microbes, with precise control of the silver levels necessary to preserve the mechanical, optical and dielectric properties of the glass.

Corning said Gorilla Glass can be installed in frequently touched devices in the health care, hospitality, and transportation industries, as well as within electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets and other electronic display panels.

"Corning's Antimicrobial Gorilla Glass inhibits the growth of algae, mold, mildew, fungi and bacteria because of its built-in antimicrobial property, which is intrinsic to the glass and effective for the lifetime of a device," said James R. Steiner, SVP and general manager, Corning Specialty Materials. "This innovation combines best-in-class antimicrobial function without compromising Gorilla Glass properties. Our specialty glass provides an excellent substrate for engineering antimicrobial and other functional attributes to help expand the capabilities of our Corning Gorilla Glass and address the needs of new markets."

Intel's RealSense

Another solution for keeping the dirt off kiosks is encouraging users to control a device without the use of touch. As gesture-based controls improve, they can provide the same level of interaction and experience as a traditional touchscreen, without the bacterial risk factor.

Intel's RealSense is a camera that can be built into computing devices. It features a 3D depth sensor and a 2D camera that Intel said mimics the human eye. With its hand and finger tracking, users will be able to control devices with gesture manipulation, which according to Intel, will be coupled with natural language voice technology and facial recognition.

On its website detailing the technology, Intel highlights several other use-cases for the RealSense camera:

Step across the threshold. With our augmented reality technology, you'll delve into your world like never before. 3D object tracking will bring your favorite books to life, and you'll interact with characters and objects in ways you've never imagined.

Playing hard just got easier. Depth sensing makes gaming feel more immersive, and accurate hand and finger tracking brings exceptional precision to your virtual adventures. But it's not just about control. Using our augmented reality technology and finger sensing, you'll be able to blend the real world with the virtual world.

Intel said that a number of laptops and tablets will incorporate the technology in 2014, although the details for its implementation remain vague.

The Joy Factory's tablet mounting

Not all CES exhibitors try to reinvent the wheel, as is the case with The Joy Factory and its lineup of iPad kiosk systems and universal tablet mounts. The company said its product portfolio is designed to provide greater accessibility for tablet use in auto or business environments, as well as in the home.

The Joy Factory's Elevate iPad wall mount and Elevate pivoting iPad wall mount secures tablets for use in public settings.

Optic cleansing

The Opticwash kiosk boasts the ability to cleanse and disinfect eyewear and jewelry in little more than a minute. The fully-automated system prompts users to place their dirtied and delicate items inside the kiosk and then runs a wash and dry cycle that the company said removes 99 percent of bacteria.

Prototypes deployed to the general public last year have found particular popularity in airports and military bases.

Read more about kiosk and self-service hardware and manufacturers.