History
The first self-service, interactive kiosk was developed in 1977
at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by a pre-med student,
Murray Lappe. The content was created on the PLATO computer system,
and accessible by plasma touch screen interface. The plasma display
panel was invented at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
by Donald L. Bitzer. Lappe's kiosk, called THE PLATO HOTLINE allowed
students and visitors to find movies, maps, directories, bus schedules,
extracurricular activities, courses and email student organizations.
When it first debuted in the U of Illinois Student Union in April
1977, more than 30,000 students, teachers and visitors stood in
line during its first 6 weeks, to try their hand at a "personal
computer" for the first time.
The first successful network of interactive kiosk used for commercial
purposes was a project developed by the shoe retailer Florsheim
Shoe Co.
Today, interactive kiosks can be found in a multitude of environments
and for many purposes including: self-checkout lanes, e-ticketing,
information and wayfinding, and vending.
The first touchscreen is shown by Elotouch at the 1982 World's Fair
in Knoxville, TN. 1982 is also the first year that the word "Internet"
is used. Factura (which was first kiosk company of any note) will
be founded 4 years later.
Design and Construction
The aesthetic and functional design of interactive kiosks is a key
element that drives user adoption, overall up-time and affordability.
There are many factors to consider when designing an interactive
kiosk including:
• Aesthetic design: The design of the enclosure is often the
driving factor in user adoption and brand recognition.
• Manufacturing volume: This will determine which manufacturing
processes are appropriate to use (i.e. sheet-metal, thermoformed
plastic etc.).
• Graphic messaging: Plays a key role in communicating with
potential users.
• Maintenance and thermal design: Critical in order to maximize
up-time (the time between failures or crashes).
• Component specification: Typical components include Touch-screen,
P.C., pointing device, keyboard, bill acceptor, mag-stripe and/
or bar-code scanner, surge protector, UPS etc.
• Ergonomic and ADA compliance: Is important to ensure comfortable
and easy user accessibility.
• Interface design: Designing for interactive kiosks typically
requires larger buttons and simpler decision trees than designing
for a web or computer based interactive. Catchy attract animations
and short dwell times are important.
Arc Design Consulting is a design consultancy specializing in interactive
kiosk design. |