The Instant Expert/Translation Station plays a dual role as an interactive kiosk and digital signage
Tandberg and .advancedMethod have combined their respective technologies to develop the Instant Expert/Translation Station, an interactive, video kiosk that variously serves as a connection to live experts or digital signage.
“Now more than ever; the brick and mortar retailer needs a way to bring people into the store. Instant Expert gives every retailer the opportunity to have an ‘expert’ – be it a traditional expert on a product, or a translator to help explain something. Instant Expert makes that feasible for the very first time, with an elegantly designed, easy to use; and inexpensive solution. I have worked with Tandberg for more than 3 years on this concept. We built this with Tandberg because they are the world’s leading videoconference supplier. Their high quality HD experience allows Instant Expert the ability to give each user the feeling of face to face discussions with this expert.”
Digital signage company
.advancedMethod, in cooperation with Tandberg, will demonstrate an interactive kiosk/video station at InfoComm 09 that will allow instant video contact with a subject expert or an interpreter at the touch of a button.
According to Seattle-based
.advancedMethod, the system offers a retailer, mass transit hub or any other customer-facing facility the ability to have an “instant expert” on hand at any time. It can be used anywhere a retailer or organization needs more of a presence without hiring additional employees.
By touching any of the custom buttons on the Instant Expert/Translation Station, a user can instantly be connected to a pre-determined expert at any location in the world. Buttons can be customized to fit a company or organization’s specific needs. For example, one can have an instant translation into a foreign language in order to provide a lost traveler with the ability to communicate in his/her native language. When not in use, the Instant Expert is automatically turned into digital signage using .advancedMethod’s express system.
Instant Expert also can provide businesses the capability of having one employee in a central location become the go-to expert for many sites, reducing local staffing costs. By offering retail store customers the ability to communicate via a world class HD video conference connection with an expert on a company’s product, organizations can offer their clientele better service at a great reduction in staffing, the company said
First seen at Infocomm 2006 as a concept, the system has undergone many improvements and is now ready for market, according to the company. The solution is made possible by a partnership with New York-based Tandberg, whose 1700 MP video conferencing system is used for the kiosk/video station.
Initially, Instant Expert/Translation Station will be a custom product; however, plans are underway to develop it into an off-the-shelf solution. Customers can buy the product from .advancedMethod after InfoComm on a limited basis.
Instant Expert may be customized almost without limit.
For example: Instant Expert may be used in a 'projected mode'. IE: you could project onto a retail storefront rear projection screen - and create buttons on the screen surface using a touch sensitive screen. Imagine having the ability to have your product; rock and roll band; expert advisor - be able to speak directly to the crowd of folks in Times Square as individuals come up and press the button to speak to them directly.
Instant Expert can be small, medium, or large.
Instant Expert can be at the retail store counter or at the baggage claim area of an airport.
Use your imagination - any place you need to have an 'expert' or translator available in many places for the cost of one human - is a place for Instant Expert!
