The self-service technologies have completely transformed the way businesses and customers are interacting for ages. The deeper integration of technology in our lies, the computer and digital literacy and the value offered by these solution is unmatched. That is the reason businesses are adopting multiple self-service solutions to not only elevate customer experience but to also optimize operational efficiency. The interactive self-service kiosks are one of the modern solution to improve the customer interaction and to streamline the operational efficiency. The self-check-in kiosk are specialized version or types of interactive self-service kiosk, which are designed to facilitate check-ins. The self-check-in kiosks have multiple industry-specific features which help it to cater to the need of that business sector.
Here in UAE the hotel self-check-ins, airport check-ins, exhibition registration and check-ins, and various other applications of check-in kiosks are widely used. Furthermore various government and public sector is also utilizing various types of self-service payment kiosks. The retail check-out kiosks, food ordering kiosks, and utility payment kiosks are also very common in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and all around the UAE. These self-service interactive kiosks offer a variety of advantages such as multi-lingual intuitive interfaces, quicker service delivery, personalized customer experience and various other benefits. In this blog we will discuss the future trends in self-check-in kiosks which will further enhance the scope of application and obviously the impact of these self-service interactive kiosks.
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5 Future Trends in Self-Check-in Kiosks: What to Expect
1. The AI Integration with Self-Check-in Kiosks
The AI or Artificial Intelligence have emerged as one of the most promising and revolutionary technology. It has rapidly transforming various industries and even made its way to our personal lives. Everyone knows how ChatGPT tool the world like storm. The rise of AI powered chat assistance, programing and designing tools have profound effects on our lives. The interactive self-service kiosks are no exception. In coming future we will see advanced AI powered features completely transforming the user experience. The AI integration will make self-check-in kiosks smarter and more customer friendly.
For example, in case of a hotel check-in kiosk the kiosk would be able to remember your past visit and could suggest you better options based on your past interaction and customer profile. The AI integration is not limited to only enhancing the suggestion mechanisms, but it can completely transform the entire customer interaction. It can actively manage the information and catered personalized customer experience. The AI powered self-check-in enhance every aspect, and can also offer instant customer service via AI-powered chatbots, and intuitive features to help customer quickly complete the task.
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The AI Integration with Self-Check-in Kiosks
2. Contactless Interactions
With the rising concerns of hygiene and safety the contactless interactions are gaining popularity, especially after the 2020 COVID pandemic. The interactive self-check-in kiosks can witness multiple technological advancements to support contactless payment. One of the most important factor is the payment, the consumers in generals are more concerned about the handling currency bills. That is why digital payments, and various types of contactless payments are introduced to the interactive self-check-in kiosks. We are also anticipating various other technologies to be integrated with these kiosks.
The contactless payment is facilitated with a cutting-edge NFC technology. The NFC or near field communication is a highly secure and efficient way to transferring financial information between the kiosks and the users. The users even doesn’t have to touch the machine, they just have to bring their credit/debit card, smartphone or even smart watch in close proximity and done. Moreover, the voice commands and gesture-based UIs are also gaining traction. These kiosks are equipped with special sensor which take commands on the bases of your hand movement without any physical contact.
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Contactless Interactions
3. Biometric Authentication and Multi-layer Security
The security is one of the major concern for the people and businesses alike. We have witnessed some high-level cyber-attacks happened at global scale. That is why people got more concerned about their data protection. When people are asked to share their confidential data and financial information with a digital system, the first thing that came to their mind is the security. Think about looking for something online, you might not found it on Amazon or Noon, and you end up finding it on a website which you have never saw before, will you be comfortable putting your card details in it? I don’t think so, everyone will try to validate the website, and they might look it up on social media or ask friends.
This mindset is one factor and the other most important factor is the business’s reputation. If a business got into a situation where their internal data containing customer’s information got compromised, their reputation will be ruined. That is why businesses need to ensure utmost security of their digital channels. The self-check-in kiosks are great tool to level up the security. With a simple card scan, you can authenticate your customers with their Emirates ID. A biometric scanning and facial recognition coupled with SMS or WhatsApp based OTP can add an extra layer. Similarly the QR Codes, NFC and RFID technologies can be leveraged to enhance and elevate the security without compromising experience.
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Biometric Authentication and Multi-layer Security
4. The Role of IoT Integration in Interactive Self-Check-in Kiosks
The IoT or Internet of Thing is a cutting-edge technology, it has potential to revolutionize the business landscape. The IoTs are widely utilized in industrial applications and now it is paving its way to consumer level applications. The IoT has potential to greatly improve and elevate customer experience. The IoT is basically connecting multiple digital smart devices which are performing certain functions. Although from functionality stand point these devices might be standalone but from user experience point of view these all are part of user journey. The IoT integration basically enable the self-check-in kiosks to connect and update various systems and platforms in real-time.
An IoT enabled self-check-in kiosk at a hotel can automatically update housekeeping system, digital key issuance systems, payment system and various other system which synchronize and simplify the entire customer journey, fostering superior efficiency and performance. The IoT integration not only connects and synchronize business tools and solutions, but it has capabilities to connect to customer-side channels such as smartphone apps, customer portals, smart watches, and personal devices. The IoT integration also help businesses add more features and functionalities. The IoTs help businesses identify the problems in the kiosk, enabling them to perform timely fixes preventing long downtime.
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The Role of IoT Integration in Interactive Self-Check-in Kiosks
5. Integration with Mobile Apps and Focus on Sustainability
In Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and broader UAE, almost 99% of the population have mobile phones. The integration of internet, digital communication, social media and mobile apps have become a new norm. On an average a person utilize multiple applications (from min. of 2 to max. of 10+) on daily bases. This compelled businesses to focus and invest more on digital interaction and communication channels. Imagine starting the check-in process from your smartphone and complete it at a self-check-in kiosk by just a few taps in less than a minute! That kind of pre-check-in is not only possible, but more and more businesses are adopting it to save customers’ valuable time.
The pre-check-in enable businesses to deliver quicker, better and more personalized customer experience. Not only that the customers will be able to receive notifications and alerts on their smartphones, they can even make payments right from their mobile apps and much more. The self-check-in kiosks can operate 24/7 hence the eco-friendly and energy efficient technologies are already making their way in interactive kiosk industry. Moreover the paperless functionality and less dependent on cash is also making self-check-in kiosks more efficient. These kiosks can send details digitally such as e-receipt, digital boarding passes, e-tokens, e-registration, and much more. All these features are helping businesses to be more energy efficient and eco-friendly.
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Integration with Mobile Apps and Focus on Sustainability
Conclusion
The self-service technology has completely transformed the way businesses used to interact with their customers. The UAE is a multi-cultural and overall a tech-savvy society. People here are more inclined towards digital technologies than anywhere else. Businesses operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and all around the UAE are well-aware of this trend. That is why business are adopting various different digital solutions and focusing more on self-service channels and digital interactions. When it comes to digital transformation the interactive self-service kiosks is one of the most effective, efficient and widely used technology. The digital self-check-in kiosks offer more independent, intuitive and convenient customer interaction. These kiosks are also a great tool to optimize and improve the operational efficiency.
In this blog we have discussed the top 5 future trends in self-check-in kiosks. These kiosks continue to evolve over the time, with the advancement in technology and world-wide adaptation of these kiosks we are witnessing more companies and enterprises investing in R&D and production facilities. With the current advancement in the technology and a shift in customer trends we will witness some of the cutting-edge technologies making their way to interactive self-service kiosk industry. Technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), Biometrics, Facial Recognition and IRIS Scans, Contactless Payments, Gesture Based Intuitive UIs, Voice Activated Kiosks, and various other will definitely part of the self-check-in kiosks in coming future.
The technologies that has potential to make interactive self-check-in kiosks smarter and efficient will surely be included in future. As per current market trend businesses are seeking solution to enhance and personalize customer experience, improve customer journey, making solutions more inclusive and accessible, and aiming to achieve higher operational efficiency while being able to reduce operational cost and making kiosks more eco-friendly. In this blog we have discussed the top 5 future trends in self-check-in kiosks, if you want to learn more about these or if you want our help to design a bespoke self-check-in kiosk for your business or organization, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.
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