cost of touch screen monitors for museums free sample

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I get this question from friends and clients fairly regularly. What kind of recommendations do you have for a touch screen in an exhibit for my budget?

I originally posted this on June 21, 2017, last week I did a presentation at the New Mexico Association of Museums conference and wanted embed my presentation. I"ve also updated the content to include some more ideas.

The prices below do not include the prices of software development because that depends on the complexity of your project and who you hire. Here are a price ranges to give you an idea:

Pros: Basically free - this is even in a price point where decently well-off hobbyists can get in on the action. They"re also easy to purchase and replace if something happens to them.

Cons: The Pi is a wonderful thing for the price, but it isn"t a super powerful computer. You won"t be able to run really fancy, graphically intensive programs on this. Also, the screen isn"t big - only 7" diagonal. Finally, I am not sure I"m ready to guarantee that this is museum quality hardware that can withstand children banging on it every day.

Cons: I"ve heard a lot bad about using them in exhibits when they"re mounted. They tend to overheat and break down. They"re really not made for that kind of thing. Also has a small screen.

Project Ideas: So they tend to work pretty well as reference guides for docents, but that can also backfire. I"ve been to museums where instead of interfacing with visitors, the docents have their nose down on the tablet and are just reading stuff to them. It"s pretty silly, frankly. Visitors are also capable of Googling things.

Pros: Small and inexpensive. Great for streaming media, also can purchase in Enterprise Mode if you want to manage a bunch of them or unlock other options. They"re compatible with some touchscreens, but you"re likely better off using something else if you"re trying to create a touchscreen kiosk program.

Project Ideas: One particular project that I know this is being used for is the ViewSpace theater in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. The old computer died, so now they"re streaming the content using a Chromebox.

Cons: I"ve seen these get broken into a lot in exhibits. Apparently there are some better ways to lock them down now, though. Small screen. If you want to have your app run on it, you have to go through the Apple Store even if you don"t want it to run anywhere else.

Cons: Make sure you build a good case for this thing. I"ve seen people break into these with a flash drive if you don"t block all the ports. Also not a good choice if you want a huge screen.

Project Ideas: Nice educational games, video viewers, etc. Maybe an app that uses computer vision with the built-in webcam that some of them have. At this point, the only limit is your imagination. :-)

Pros: This is a really unique piece of hardware that allows you to include physical pieces in your interactive. You also get two touchscreens for the price of one, which is a good deal. There are free apps that you can download from the Sprout marketplace that are pretty neat - there"s a measuring app, an app that allows you to create stop-motion videos, one that lets you convert currency, and many more.

Cons: Sometimes difficult to work with. On the first version, the hardware was a little finicky. I had to have one of the touch mats replaced, but on the other hand, the support staff was really friendly and mailed the parts right away. Hopefully they"ve improved that. Also, the buttons to turn it on and off are in a really conspicuous place, so you should be mindful of how you use it in your space.

Project Ideas: 3D building applications, walk visitors through assembling items, Allow visitors to walk a figurine through a 3D model of a historical site - lots of cool stuff. Also see Sim Pueblo

Cost: Touch screens range from ~$250 for the smallish ones (in which case you should just buy an all-in-one PC) to $1600 for a 55" to $11k for an 80" one!

There are a lot of options for computers. You can get any tower to work with these, or you can look at a small form-factor computer like an Intel NUC. Ballparks - $500 - $800

Pros: You can get exactly what you need to run really awesome software that makes a huge visual impact. They"re also flat screens, so you have a lot of options for embedding it in the wall and making a seamless experience.

Interactive Projections are one of those wonderful and flashy fun things that people love. One of the great things about them is that they don"t really need to cost as much as you think - you just need a projector, a computer, and a 3D camera.

Cons: Software cost will be a little bit higher than a typical touchscreen because you have to spend more time on the installation and testing. Don"t expect to get perfect touch capability unless you buy an expensive all-in-one setup. This is better for more experiential interactives. Also, make sure you plan this for a dark room - if you want to put it somewhere near a window, expect to pay A LOT of money for a projector!

Project Ideas: One of my favorite things I"ve seen with this is an interactive sandbox (shown above). You move the sand around with your hands and then it projects a topographical map on it. A fun program that my colleagues at Highlands did for a museum in Las Cruces is a thing where you step on dinosaur footprints to learn more about what dinosar made them. All kinds of good stuff!

A short-throw projector. You want a short-throw projector so you can mount it close to the wall and not worry about people"s shadows on the projection. I found a bunch of them on B&H photo. Look in to find the ones that are supposed to last a long time. The last thing you want to do is buy a cheap one and have it burn out in a month.

Pros: A lot of software possibilities. Some tables are safe for drinks, and Ideum"s even support tangible objects. They allow for a lot of interaction between visitors, also.

Cons: Expensive, debatable how long they last. I"ve heard that they aren"t projected to last much more than 3 years, but you can replace the touch screen if you need to.

If you really want to make a statement and put something huge in your space, think about a touch wall. They"re not as limited by light as a projection, and they"ll definitely turn heads. These can either be purchased as straight - up video or as touchscreens.

Cost: Goes up exponentially! You"re looking at $50k - 100k for the screens alone. You also need to get a beefy computer with a really beefy graphics card to be able to handle running a program on multiple screens simultaneously.

Cons: Very expensive! You"ll need to talk to a company that specializes in them. For my research, I talked to Planar Technology and they were helpful and great even though they knew I couldn"t buy anything. They make professional grade products, which is important. You don"t want to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a product that will break or not be able to hold up to the rigors of a museum environment.

Something we’re asked quite often over here at blackbox-av is “what’s the best type of touchscreen technology for use in a museum/heritage environment”, so we thought why not write a post that answers that question!

There are currently 4 main categories of touchscreen technology, Capacitive, Resistive, Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) and Infrared. Although there’s a new kid on the block called Optical Imaging which is gaining in popularity but hasn’t really taken over the more conventional technologies yet, you should certainly watch this space though.

A capacitive touch screen is a control display that uses the conductive touch of a human finger or a specialized device for input.When a capacitive panel is touched, a small amount of charge is drawn to the point of contact, which becomes a functional capacitor.

The change in the electrostatic field is measured to find the location. In some designs, circuits located at each corner of the panel measure the charge and send the information to the controller for processing. In multi-touch screens, sensors are arranged in a grid to enable more complex input.

With resistive technology the main screen is covered with three layers. Two layers are placed over the screen and kept slightly apart, one is conductive and the other resistive, when the screen is touched these panels are pushed together registering the input. A scratch resistant surface completes the setup.

The best thing about resistive touchscreens is their ability to register inputs from any object, be it your finger, a pen or a gloved hand. They are also more accurate than other systems although more prone to damage and less responsive to a lighter touch.

When most people think of Infrared touchscreens they think of the classic 1980’s computers with orange/green text and a massive frame around the monitor, the fact is this technolgy still very much has a place in the modern world, it’s one of the more robust options and works by simply setting up a pattern of criss crossing infrared that when broken registers as an input.

There are a number of drawbacks to this technology however, for example bright lighting can interfere with the beams, as can dust and dirt. It’s most useful for applications outdoors where it can detect any input and not just a ‘conductor’ such as a finger (not in a glove!). However for the average indoor museum exhibit it’s a strong option.

This technology utilises ultrasonic waves that are projected over the front panel, when the panel is touched some of these waves are absorbed and receivers register this change while controllers pinpoint where it happened.

If the panel is touched by a finger which then remains motionless, only the initial touch is registered, this can be a positive or negative depending upon the application, for example it can have an effect on the software used with the screen but makes it perfect for use as a workstation where objects are likely to be rested on the panel, such as a hand or elbow etc.

Until recently this could be a tough question to answer, due to technological restrictions and costs involved, the question of “which touchscreen technology is best for the public environment?”could havebeenanswered in various ways, with the ultimate decision depending on a number of factors.

These days however thanks to technological innovations the answer is practically always Capacitive, there’s a reason almost all modern tablets and phones use this technology. On a larger scale this was once more expensive, so for touch tables you might have been tempted by another option such as Infrared however this is no longer the case.

The only time you will want to use a technology other than Capacitive, is if your touchscreen needs to allow gloved use… for example a touchscreen kiosk installed in an arctic research base…

The 22″ All-In-One Touchscreen/PC provides a simple yet elegant interactive platform for use within public displays. Contending with a separate PC and screen and all the associated cabling can be a thing of the past. This unit is easily installed via Vesa Mount fixings or the (removable) panel fixing wings which make it perfect for custom installations. Build it into practically any unique displays easily and quickly.

Free Standing Multi-Touch Kiosks from blackbox-av combine uncompromising technical performance with outstanding design, elegance and style to provide stand-alone, finger controlled, multi touch interactivity and information to visitors on demand. This is the 22″ ‘Modern’ version in our Free-Standing Range. The Kiosk works perfectly with our off-the-shelf multi touchscreen software, Lightbox 3 (perfect for museum environments).

By combining precision touchscreen technology within a professional-grade large format LCD panel this kiosk is ideal for use in high traffic public access environments. Utilising Capacitive touch technology to ensure reliability throughout extended use, the screen supports up to 10 touches and gesture controls.

Engage visitors with our elegant and ‘Sleek’ range of Multi-Touch table. Choose from a 46″ or 55″ multi-touch screen housed in an attractive white or black table unit. Thanks to the powerful inbuilt computer this system is able to run any windows 10 multi touchscreen software including off-the-shelf solutions such as our very own Lightbox 3 software or any bespoke interactives developed for your chosen application.

What use is a touchscreen without software to use with it? Which is why we not only supply cost effective hardware options, but have also developed Lightbox 3, our multitouch off-the-shelf interactive software package perfect for use in Museum environments.

If you’re the owner or manager of a museum, you should know that that installing interactive screens throughout your museum will make the information presented more accessible, more interesting for young people, and more modern. Visitors at your museum will take note of how convenient and easy it was to navigate and understand each exhibit with the help of your interactive touch screen solutions.

Imagine being able to explore the history of each exhibit through the combination of a variety of media. There’s no limit to what you can do with touch screens for museums by Digital Touch Systems. Our touch systems allow total synchronization among all devices, and integration of fully customized features.

However you want the software for your digital screens to work, we can accommodate you with them. Our talented and hardworking touch screen software development crew can make your ideas come to life. Your logo and museum name can be included in each page of your personalized touch screen software. If you choose, you can communicate directly with our touch screen software team to make sure they add all of the functions you want and design it the way you like it.

We can deliver all products straight to your museum. Setting them up takes only minutes. They will include all mounts and everything you need for installation. At Digital Touch Systems, we stand by the quality of our products. Let us provide you with touch screens for museums that bring your displays to life! Take the first step and contact us today!

Bare-hand interaction refers to the use of the hands, palms, and fingers mainly for desktop or kiosk-oriented interactions. This type of interaction used to be the traditional touch screen technology that major museums and cultural heritage sites relied on, but now it has been experiencing revolutionary change.

In September 2020, Ideum announced the release of Touchless Design SDK Version 1.0, now available on GitHub. By tracking the visitor"s hand and specific gestures, such as opening and closing, this system gives the user complete control over the mouse without touching the screen tab. Ideum listed equipment and codes needed for the system for free so that museums, cultural organizations, and other public institutions can apply the technology post-pandemic.

Ideum has also been working with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., to develop a unique touchless kiosk that will guide visitors to enjoy the museum’s collection just by waving their hands. The kiosk will be similar to the traditional touch-screen display at museums, but with Intel RealSense depth camera D435 and Leap Motion controller for touchless gesture recognition. It doesn’t cost thousands of dollars for museums to adopt this new technology; the Intel RealSense depth camera D435 costs around $200 and the Leap Motion controller costs $80.

Some articles hold different opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of gesture-based technology for use in museums and arts organizations. Derpanis mentioned that traditional interfaces and touch-based interactions have reached a bottleneck in application development. Even before the pandemic, users were getting used to touch-based interfaces and sometimes getting bored with these devices or even ignoring them in a museum setting.

Because the application of the technology is relatively limited in museums for now, there are no large-scale statistics or studies on user demographics and experiences, but we can find from some small-scale data summarized by researchers that most users give high ratings for their gesture-based interactive experience, with children being more satisfied than adults. Users give feedback on some of the exhibits produced by Ideum saying that the exhibits are responsive, interactive, entertaining, and fun.

Two of the most obvious advantages of gesture-based interactives are 1.) they are an alternative to the touch screen interactive that might be reluctantly used by the public after the pandemic and 2.) they are more entertaining for the audience and can easily engage users of different ages.

Koutsabasis and Vosinakis suggest that for museums and cultural heritage attractions, the technology can be critical for educational purposes, especially for highlighting intangible aspects of cultural heritage such as habits, rituals, and everyday activities. Instead of using words and paragraphs on touch screens to define these intangible activities, gesture-based interaction is more user-friendly in engaging visitors to experience these intangible cultural heritages.

Additionally, because there are already mature technology companies in this field, the application of this technology is not particularly expensive for museums. According to the information published by Ideum on GitHub, the total price of sensors and cameras required for the application of bare-hand interaction does not exceed $300. Things that require the museum to spend more money may be the display screens and the creative content to be displayed.

Although this technology has many advantages and prospects, it still has some problems. Museums and technical designers still need to pay attention to many points when designing these interactive experiences. Jim Spadaccini, the founder of Ideum, points out that the instruction for gestures must be simple and clear or it will overwhelm visitors. Another concern is the precision of the sensors and the output image. Koutsabasis and Vosinakis mention in their research that users would sometimes experience hand track loss and miss targets during the interaction. Visitors also get easily disappointed when some of their movements do not get recognized, so technical precision is always a fundamental part of the application.

The Open Exhibits SDK includes a gesture analysis engine and Gesture Markup Language (GML) library. This enables museums to create innovative gesture-driven exhibits without

needing to program gestures or object transformations. Gestures can be enabled and modified through GML, and triggered through a variety of input devices including touch screens,

In recent years museums began to experience a sharp decline in attendance as they found it difficult to compete with the resources available online. However, since discovering how to benefit from technology, interactive displays in museums are beginning to attract large numbers of visitors, particularly amongst the younger age groups. Consequently, museum managers and curators are including touch screen kiosks, tablets and virtual reality devices to create innovative and imaginative exhibitions to help their visitors feel as though they have stepped back in time.

One of the world’s most famous museums is the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Founded in 1852, it has international fame and reputation that has seen it able to be at the forefront of utilising technology to enhance the interactive quality of the exhibitions it stages. Many other long-established museums are following the V and A’s example.

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery opened its doors in 1885 and has the world’s largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings by artists such as Birmingham born Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898), John Everett Millais (1829-1896) and Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882). The museum has included interactive features throughout to create interesting displays to stir their visitors’ imaginations.

However, interactive displays in museums are not just confined to the larger establishments. Many smaller museums that are unable to command a comparative level of funding and attention are undaunted as they too are beginning to realise the advantages of installing touchscreen devices to enhance their exhibitions.

For example, the Robert Burns Museum, dedicated to Scotland’s national poet, is situated in the tiny cottage where he was born in 1759. Although space and resources are limited, the museum is using technology to allow the visitors to freely explore the cottage and different aspects of Burns’ life and work. They have included entertaining interactive quizzes in addition to visual and audio features that highlight his poems and songs. Features such as QR code downloadable apps can provide visitors with extra information, helping the museum to add extra content to the displays and avoid the cost of printing surplus guide books.

Another small museum to discover the benefits of interactive displays is Pontefract Museum in West Yorkshire. The museum has recently invested in the complete refurbishment of the building, which dates back to 1904, and the exhibitiongalleries.

Items now on display include the first ballot box ever used and the Ackworth Hoard of gold coins dating back to the Seventeenth Century English Civil War. However, the museum has also installed new technology to ensure visitors enjoy an unforgettable experience with interactive displays specifically designed for families.

Interactive touchscreen devices can be invaluable for providing maps of the layout of the exhibition halls. For instance, the Victoria Gallery and Museum in Liverpool, which features the work of the Nineteenth Century wildlife artist, John James Audubon (1785-1851), has utilised technology to create a free App that gives an interactive guided tour of the entire museum.

The App also highlights interesting exhibits displayed across the three floors of the museum and is accessible through tablets that visitors can borrow if they haven’t brought their own.

One of the greatest advantages of using interactive displays in museums is that they can be customised to suit an individual museum’s requirements. Bespoke operating functions can be installed that present information for visitors in a simple, clear format that is easy to use.

With Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to add an exciting new dimension to an exhibition, updating of information is quick and easy, even on a daily basis. The software will include a lock down mode to prevent visitors accessing the data, while the hardware kiosks or touch screen devices are stylishly presented and strong enough to withstand constant use. Various features can be included such as ticket dispensing and market research facilities to assist in planning future exhibitions.

Interactive displays in museums can be in a variety of formats such as video walls, touch screen kiosks or virtual reality devices that can make history seem exciting and lifelike. Every museum, regardless of size or resources, is realising the benefits to be gained from investing in a variety of interactive displays that will add the fun and excitement that younger visitors in particular will enjoy. Installing high quality interactive display systems is an extremely cost-effective and versatile way to increase visitor rates.

At LamasaTech we’re fascinated with the ways in which interactive technology can be used to create compelling experiences. If you’re looking to embrace this exciting new technology, get in touch with a member of our expert team for a free consultation.

AbraxSys explores the inustries utilizing industrial displays with touch screens and how these verticals bennefit from the various touch screen technologies.

Touchscreen monitors are becoming more popular with the rise of laptops and tablets. While touchscreens can add a lot of ease when using a device, you need to make sure to choose the right one for your needs. They allow you to interact with your computer in a whole new way. They can help you be more productive, while they can also provide more information. With touchscreen orportable monitor technology becoming more popular, you have more options when it comes to the best touchscreen monitor for your needs. This blog will look at the different aspects of touchscreen monitors and how you can select the right one for your needs.

A touchscreen monitor is a device that allows you to control the computer by touching the screen instead of using a keyboard or mouse. It is a screen that has a layer of touch-sensitive electronic pixels. They are also known as a touch screen monitor. The touch screen monitor is a relatively new technology that has seen a great deal of advancement in recent years. That being said, touch screen monitors have been around for a very long time. You might have used one at a bank or a museum or at a store or even at a restaurant. It is a great way to interact with a computer. In fact, with the development of touch screen monitors, we are now seeing the end of the keyboard and mouse era. Touch screen monitors are being more and more integrated into the computer system. It is also starting to be used as a replacement for a computer mouse.

Touchscreen monitors are a great option for anyone who wants a monitor that has extra features. Touchscreen monitors can do more than just display things on your computer. These monitors can actually help you to navigate your computer and do things. Touchscreen monitors are not only great for the visually impaired, but they are also perfect for anyone who wants a more interactive experience with their computer. Here are a few advantages of touch screen monitors orportable touch screen monitor: Saves space , eliminates the need for a keyboard, New Control Methods,  while travelling makes it easier to use.

Touchscreen monitors are popular these days, with many brands offering touch screen monitors for sale. When you look at the features and specs of the monitors, you will find that there are a lot of them which are quite similar from a technical perspective. However, there are a few key differences which you will want to look at to ensure that you are getting the best touchscreen monitor for your needs. One of the most important things to look at is the compatible operating systems. Most monitors will have either Windows 7 or Windows 10, but others will have the older Windows XP. It is also important to look at the size of the monitor. Most of the monitors on the market right now have at least 15- or 17-inch screens. This is because they are cheaper to produce. However, they are not that portable and they can also be harder to use in smaller spaces. If you want to use the touchscreen monitor in a smaller room, you may want to look for a monitor with a smaller screen.

Touchscreen monitors are definitely becoming more common these days. When you"re shopping for a computer monitor, you"ll need to decide if you want a touchscreen monitor or just a basic one without a touchscreen. Touchscreen monitors are great for office use and for watching videos. But how much do touch screen monitors cost? Touchscreen monitors are more expensive than regular monitors. The good news is that touchscreen monitors come in a variety of sizes and a variety of prices. You can find a touchscreen monitor for less than $100. You can also find touchscreen monitors for $1,000. It all depends on the size and features.

UPERFECT was founded in 2017 as a brand based on decades of experience and research, with the express purpose of educating people on how to upgrade their displays to 4K resolution and improve their lives with our portable touch screen monitor. We at UPERFECT MONITOR understand and are completely committed to solving real-time challenges experienced by persons all over the world by delivering high-quality, personalised current technology monitors with professionalism, decency, and respect.

When selecting a touchscreen monitor orportable screen, you should consider the size of the monitor, the operating system compatibility, the touchscreen technology and the touch features, what you will use it for, and the warranty and customer service offered. A touch screen monitor is a great addition to your office and can be used for a variety of tasks. We hope this article helped you better understand what to consider when selecting a touchscreen monitor. If you have any more questions,

Fortunately, the developments in digital technology are changing museums, just as they’re transforming schools, workplaces and cultural institutions everywhere. The maxim used to be “look but don’t touch”. Now institutions large and small are embracing the idea that touch screen monitors can give visitors a more hands-on experience.

In the past, the way a visitor chose to explore an exhibition or gallery might depend on the knowledge and availability of the guide showing them around. Touch screen monitors, however, have made the experience flexible for everyone. Interactive kiosks use a mixture of sounds, pictures, maps and narrative to bring exhibits to life.

Rising insurance and transport costs can sometimes make it difficult for even national museums to secure the exhibits they need. Wear and tear can also be an issue, particularly when loaning out costumes and items of clothing. With touch screens, you can offer an alternative virtual exhibit, allowing people to see and touch it from every angle. For example, you may be hundreds, or even thousands of miles away from a medieval suit of armour, but you can still examine every rivet.

When you’re viewing exhibits in a gallery or museum, it’s important to understand the context. Otherwise, relics may not have the impact you expect. Touch screen monitors are revolutionising our ability to see an object in relation to the place it came from and how it was used. A 3D virtual tour can allow navigation of the streets of ancient cities like Rome or Athens. Looking at ancient statues, vases, coins and weapons is more significant when you feel part of the world from which they came.

Kids benefit when they can learn at their own pace and experiment with what interests them. A good example of this is the Climate Change Wall at London’s Natural History Museum. The wall is one of the displays in the state-of-the-art Darwin Centre, which opened to the public in September 2009. A 12 metre wall, incorporating hundreds of images and graphics, allows students to see the devastating effects of human life on the natural world. Approaching the wall causes the display to change, and touching some of the panels can reveals more detailed information.

The gift shops of museums, though popular, are often relatively small. Touch screen monitors in gift shops, however, are a cost-effective and space-saving way of giving customers a much greater choice of merchandise. They allow customers to browse through the vast catalogue of images and take home what they really want – as opposed to what is left on the shelves at the end of a busy day.

Museums are a vital part of culture in the UK and across the world. Touch screens, when used wisely, can keep the experience of visiting such a place exciting and fresh for the whole family.

With any exhibit, the first consideration should always be the visitor and the visitor journey. Who are your target audiences for the exhibit? How does your exhibit fit in the intended visitor journey? Does the interface work when considering how that audience interacts with exhibits, what mental models they are bringing with them? After considering the audience *then* you should consider the specific tech and interface to meet the needs of that audience.

By starting with the technology, designers often come up with elegant solutions that, in practice, do not work for the intended audience, and at worst confuse and frustrate. E.g. a VR solution to avoid a bunch of people sat in an enclosed planetarium space sounds great on paper when purely looking at it from a socially distancing and technology position but will be a failure if most of your audience group come in family units with young children who are excluded by a 13+ headset rating or it leads to lengthy queues of people waiting to have a go at the couple of headsets you’re able to provide.

The most common problem we have encountered with camera and sensor interfaces — at least those that require specific positioning — is visitors not knowing where to stand or place their hands in relation to the camera or sensor. More often than not, visitors will align themselves to the most prominent aspect of the exhibit — usually the display screen — leading to them either positioning themselves too close or too far away from the camera to ensure an image or gesture of suitable quality and accuracy can be captured.

It is vital that the camera or sensor is clearly visible to visitors as they stand in front of the exhibit, ideally in their line of sight as they face the display.

Cameras must be in mirror setting (as the visitor moves left the image moves right, as would happen if they were looking in a mirror). Otherwise it is impossible for visitors to accurately position themselves.

Another common problem we have encountered in our research is the difficulty alerting visitors when their image or gesture has been captured or registered. Where the visitors’ image or gesture is automatically captured, the exhibit must respond quickly. Any noticeable delay will cause problems as visitors tend to assume that the exhibit is either malfunctioning, needs some further action from them or that they have done the wrong movement and start trying a whole range of random gestures. If the exhibit does need a moment to calibrate, make sure this is clearly communicated to the visitor.

The lack of immediate haptic feedback, that satisfying ‘click’ of a button being pressed, on top of the unfamiliarity of gesture-controlled exhibits mean visitors are also usually questioning whether they are “doing the right thing”. Solutions to this issue include both the use of sound effects as well as visual feedback on the display. It’s important to note however where the visitors’ line of sight is when they are interacting with the exhibit. Humans struggle to split their attention across multiple displays and interfaces (as frequently seen in dual screen exhibit setups), if their attention is on making sure their hand is doing the right movement relative to the sensor they are unlikely to notice a change on the screen off to the side.

Touchless interfaces are not yet familiar to visitors and therefore it’s not immediately obvious how to interact. Even a ‘simple’ instruction to “swipe” can result in a number of questions and actions from visitors: Do I use my right or left hand? How big a swipe? How slow or fast do I need to go? Should I swipe side to side or up and down? Etc.

The most effective way to alert visitors to the use of gesture-based controls is a simple looped animation, lasting 2–5 seconds, which illustrates the required movement in relation to the sensor, accompanied by simple captions. Note however that visitors take these animated instructions very literally in terms of speed, timing and extent of movement. Therefore, any mismatch between the animation and the gesture that is actually required will cause problems.

Static illustrations showing the required gestures are less effective, in part because they fail to convey important information about the speed and extent of motion required, but also because they are less effective at attracting and holding visitors’ attention.

Compared to traditional touchscreen buttons, gesture-based controls allow for far less precision of selection and movement. As a result, active areas need to be larger and more widely separated than would be the case with traditional touchscreens. Gesture-controlled exhibits also need to be designed to cope with varied ways of performing a required action. If the specified action is too precisely defined, with no ‘forgiveness’ in the system, visitors will struggle to operate the exhibit.

The chosen gesture should be simple and make sense in the context of the exhibit and content. E.g. A “swipe” gesture will be more intuitive if asking to change a page of a digital book, less intuitive if selecting a specific element on that page. As mentioned in the first point, the gestures should make sense to the visitor. Asking visitors to learn too many gestures or perform complex movements will quickly overwhelm and the learning outcomes for your exhibit will be lost.

As touched on in the previous point, visitors tend to take instructions very literally, especially in science museum settings. This not only goes for animated instructions but also written and spoken instructions and is particularly important to think about in cases where you’re planning on retrofitting a gesture-controlled interface on an existing touch exhibit. In one example at the Science Museum, when visitors were asked to ‘tap the dots’ in a touchless gesture interface, they assumed this meant that they had to physically touch the screen. Using the word ‘tap’ metaphorically in this case proved to be hugely misleading.

We also have examples of visitors following instructions very literally in more playful and immersive exhibits. In one example in an artistic immersive exhibit, visitors were able to move their whole bodies and influence the projected visuals in front of them. The intended experience was for visitors to experiment with different actions, they could jump up and down, move across the room, wave their arms, dance, anything and everything. In observations we found this openness to experiment was influenced by the instruction given by the member of staff. Those who mentioned closed instructions such as “stand here and wave your arms” led to groups spending the experience rooted to the spot and only waving their arms. Groups who received a more open instruction such as “stand here to begin with but then feel free to experiment with movements” saw a greater range of actions. This observation was only seen in adults, however. Younger children, typically, had no issue experimenting no matter what the instruction which brings us neatly onto the last point…

Performance anxiety — or the fear of looking stupid or getting things wrong in front of strangers — is a particular problem for immersive and whole-body exhibits. Although, we’ve certainly seen this as a barrier to engagement for hand-based gesture exhibits too.

Visitors are also heavily influenced by the actions of other visitors. This can work in your favour. In the example of the immersive experience above, it only needed one person in the group to start experimenting beyond small hand movements to encourage others to do the same. It can also quickly exacerbate the barriers above: visitors are much more likely to copy the actions of the visitor before them rather than follow the exhibit instructions, even if they’re the opposite of what’s required.

AG Neovo’s TX-3202 and TX-4302 built-in touch through-glass capability add additional security to touch screens. It does this by adding extra touch protection. Kiosks can use the TX-3202 and TX-4302 either in portrait or landscape orientation.

With the touch through-glass feature, you can creatively display content. This increases engagement and boosts sales. Using a touch screen, customers can customise their shopping or dining experiences. Consumers expect interactive shopping experiences, so retail stores install touchscreen displays.

Viewers might not transact right away. But engaged customers are likely to buy your product or service in the future. These touch screens not only increase footfall and sales. But they also educate your customer about what you have to offer.

They transform traditional one-way display windows into interactive and engaging two-way interfaces, inspiring customers to interact and enter your store.

The TX-3202 and TX-4302 can be placed behind a layer of protective glass, preventing scratching and damage, and the screen is still usable. Placement behind glass also decreases the risk of theft.

As we’ve discussed, the AG Neovo’s TX-3202 and TX-4302 are incredibly versatile and offer various options to present new ideas to customers and visitors. But what are the best ways to showcase the incredible through-glass touch screen technology? Here are nine examples of how this innovative technology can boost your business.

Retailers face a real obstacle when trying to entice shoppers to visit their stores. Digital store window displays are the job of retailers and visual merchandisers. Suppose you design visual merchandising for the display window. You have to appeal to the customer’s desires.

Visual merchandising displays can incorporate strong call-to-action messages. For instance, you could have a sign that says ‘Try me’ or ‘Touch to Search’. This makes product displays more engaging, inspiring interaction and boosting sales.

The touch through-glass feature used in the TX-3202 and TX-4302 allows consumers to shop with ease. They only need to walk past a shop window. In doing so, retailers can provide shoppers with a way to browse the store catalogue.

They can also see the latest products and deals and place an order. Interactive window displays have the impact that everyone is striving to achieve. It is a fun, new way for retailers to connect with consumers.

With the pandemic on everyone’s mind, safety is paramount. You can install the TX-3202 or TX-4302 touch screens behind a glass layer or a store window. It is easy to clean the exterior of the store window to keep it safe and clean.

Bond Brand Loyalty’s research shows 77% of consumers see loyalty programs as a reason to keep doing business with brands. A retailer’s loyalty reward program provides essential information about marketing and operations.

Customer loyalty kiosks help retailers manage their loyalty programs. They also engage customers through various methods at their Point of Sale. As well, customer loyalty kiosks also allow for printing vouchers, receipts, and loyalty cards.

They also allow for verifying customer identification, checking advertising, promotional, and giveaways. Further, they also allow for processing payments and order entries.

TX-3202 and TX-4302 touch screens allow retailers to extend the duration of their loyalty programs. In doing so, they increase the time customers spend shopping. As more people in joining loyalty reward programs, the call-to-action is more valuable.

Using in-store technology to increase customer interaction leads to increased conversions. Customers can interact with information kiosk screens to learn about a product.

You can use TX-3202 and TX-4302 touch screens that allow customers to interact. This can be with a demo video of a product that is too large to showcase at the venue. Or, in another example, the product is too complicated to show in real-time.

73% of Americans reported that they are more likely to buy an item or service after watching videos. Thus, showing them how the product works increases their likelihood of purchasing it.

Customers wish to have control over what they see. You can use TX-3202 and TX-4302 through-glass touch screens to make engaging and creative displays. These work for you, not against you.

Museum kiosks work well in both paid and free attractions. Examples such as city museums saw an increase in visitors through their exhibitions. Museums are prime candidates for interactive kiosks as they showcase the intangible.

Interactive kiosks are a great solution for visitors who suffer from social anxiety. Especially when interacting with another person or feel rushed, they can engage at their own pace.

Interactive touch screen kiosks within museums provide greater interactive information about an exhibit. Kiosks could, for example, display textual information about an exhibit.

Self-service kiosks are customisable, which is their beauty. Customers can check inventory that they can order then or later. They can also customise options without having to wait for sales associates.

A RedPoint Global survey found that 63% expect personalised service as standard. Customers can get the products and services they want faster than waiting for a staff member.

Self-service kiosks provide customers with convenient services. These include product searching, company information, and targeted offers. Thus, consumers will have more awareness, and retailers can expand their business channels.

Self-service kiosks provide retailers with the capability to improve their experiences. These kiosks allow for products to come from the warehouse instead of the shop floor.

Advanced technological solutions, such as QR codes being used for interactive digital signage, RFID, and smartphone transactions, also help. These help consumers to pay with smartphones, gift cards, and credit or debit cards.

Retail establishments or restaurants always look for new ways to engage their customers. New and immersive shopping and dining experiences make use of interactive tables.

Integrating touch screens into tables also brings an element of fun. In retail or restaurants, touch screen tables show customers your products or services. It gives them a lasting memorable impression of your business for repeat custom.

Branded games on touch tables are fun for customers. These also help create deeper brand awareness and recognition. Tables are a great way to connect customers with your brand while entertaining them at the same time.

You can brand the TX-3202 and TX-4302 touch screen displays to make a unique experience. It is especially helpful if you have several locations. Branded experiences create cohesion between locations.

The quick-service industry is transforming due to self-ordering. Consider self-serve kiosks that allow customers to interact with the menu. Here they can place customised orders. This setup improves efficiency and reduces wait times for everyone involved.

Also, food establishments can provide information through kiosks that menus and signs struggle to achieve. For example, if someone has a niche request, the staff don’t need to bring out another menu from the back, as it’s all there.

Through-glass touch screens, TX-3202 and TX-4302 provide a convenient method of encasing touch screens with glass to prevent water splashes on the screens in restaurants; this layer of security also enhances the durability of the screens.

44% of the visitors find these interactive in-store displays attractive to the eyes as they pass the displays. Besides showcasing items, you also encourage impulse purchases.

Digital POP displays with interactive capabilities can make advertisements smarter. The TX-3202 and TX-4302 through-glass touch screens are deployable in many areas throughout the store. Doing this creates a more compelling shopping experience that will drive new sales.

Digital POP displays encourage retail shoppers to stop in for a few minutes and add a few more items to their cart. This increases Average Transaction Value (ATV) as well as bounce-back and thus footfall.

As an alternative, you can adopt the TX-3202 and TX-4302 touch display for the digital POP display as a customer prospecting point. There, you can collect their email address and later add them to a mailing list.

Self check-in kiosks help businesses like hotels in enhancing the guest’s experience. As well as introducing more convenience, eliminating frustrating queues results in a frictionless check-in experience. It contributes to the modernisation of the hotel experience. Hotel staff ends up with more time to meet and greet guests and encourage upgrades.

Using TX-3202 and TX-4302 touch screens for self-check-in kiosks cuts labour costs and improves efficiency. That’s true whether on the front desk or in the back office. As well as automating data processing, kiosks reduce stress on others, such as night staff.

Self check-in kiosks enable guests to upgrade services at their convenience. It is a great alternative to selling things face-to-face for guests who prefer less staff interaction.

Additionally, kiosks can add upgrades straight away to customers’ bills. This allows for impulsive purchasing and is a great way to add revenue streams.

Customers today expect dynamic, personalised product offerings. Interactive digital signage filled with product information provides this much-needed immersive experience.

The use of touch screens is very effective in winning over consumers and specific tasks. Its built-in touch through-glass functionality allows the TX-3202 and TX-4302 touch screens flexibility. It offers businesses innovative ways of displaying engaging content. It ranges anywhere from retail stores to restaurants and museums to hotels.

With TX-3202 and TX-4302, users embark on an emotional journey unparalleled. Businesses boost revenue and achieve a competitive edge, building customer loyalty for life. Contact us to invest in the TX-3202 and TX-4302 for your business today and bring the future of marketing and merchandising to your business.

During the pandemic, we witnessed attitudes shift against public touchscreens. In 2022, are those attitudes here to stay? And what does this mean for the future of retail technology?

Ultraleap ran a survey across the UK, US, China, and Japan with over 2000 respondents and more than 500 in each market. In this research, we delved into post-pandemic attitudes towards public touchscreens and analysed how these could impact retail and technology trends.

This blog takes you through some of the key findings of the study. For more information, including detailed country-by-country breakdowns, download the full consumer report.

In our survey of over 2000 consumers in the UK, US, China, and Japan, we explored the future of retail technology through detailed analysis of attitudes to public touchscreens and touchless alternatives.

This study builds on the results of our previous survey in May 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. This found that around80% of people perceived public touchscreens to be unhygienic.

Other studies showed similar trends. A large 2020 Capgemini studyfound that 77% expected to increase their use of touchless retail technology to avoid touchscreens during the pandemic. 62% expected to continue this behaviour post-pandemic.

Our study found that concern around touchscreen hygiene remains prevalent across all markets in 2022, and covers concerns beyond COVID-19. Most respondents are changing their behaviour at least sometimes to avoid germs on public touchscreens. A sizeable minority are always changing their behaviour.

We also found that the public is not only open to but actively positive about touchless solutions – making this a solvable problem and a commercial opportunity to shape the future of retail.

Our study found that most consumers still believe public touchscreens are unhygienic, with 52% of our multi-market sample agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement "I think public touchscreens are unhygienic.”

Most consumers also report at least sometimes changing their behaviour (for example using hand sanitizer) around public touchscreens to avoid germs. A significant 29% report alwayschanging their behaviour.

We looked in detail at what some of these touchscreen avoidance behaviours were. 45% of our multi-market sample reported having used hand sanitizer after touching a public screen. Significant numbers also report touching the screen as little as possible (25%), or even avoiding places where they must use a touchscreen (10%).

“Touchscreen hygiene is a significant user experience issue that impacts both brand perception and retail operations. Adopting touchless solutions, such as UST’s Vision Checkout, offers the opportunity to serve consumers better. It’s a clean, frictionless customer experience that is also three times faster than traditional checkouts.”Subhodip Bandyopadhyay, General Manager – Emerging Technology - UST

These touchscreen avoidance behaviours are likely to have a direct commercial impact. That a sizeable 25% of consumers touch the screen as little as possible limits the opportunity for upselling at self-service. Meanwhile, that 10%claim to avoid places where they must use touchscreens indicates self-service touchscreens may lead a small but significant group of consumers not to choose specific brands, restaurants or stores.

We also found that hygiene concerns are broader than just COVID-19. Whether it"s COVID-19, germs in general, or feeling their hands are unclean, consistently around 60% of our sample agree or strongly agree with having concerns. It implies this is a broad public attitude here to stay, and which will impact the future of retail technology.

We showed respondents a short video of the potential future of retail technology: a woman interacting with a touchless screen, powered by Ultraleap’s TouchFree solution.

68% also claimed that they would be more likely to visit a grocery store or fast-food restaurant if it offered a touchless self-service screen. While this was a blunt question and should be taken with a pinch of salt, it provides a strong sign of the extent to which consumers seem eager to use touchless solutions. These trends in retail technology are particularly evident in China, where a massive 94% of respondents answered yes to this question.

“The challenge of public touchscreen hygiene is increasingly looking like a solvable problem – and a commercial opportunity – as consumers strongly indicate their openness to touchless solutions.”Jeff Hastings, CEO - BrightSign

We identified a significant group of consumers that strongly believe touchscreens are unhygienic. They may also demonstrate behaviours to avoid touching screens – such as going to staff, or not visiting restaurants or stores at all.

The data points in this survey can help us try to size this group of consumers who are strongly “hygiene sensitive”, and analyze the opportunity of using emerging retail technologies to serve them better.

This group of consumers are strongly concerned their hands are unclean after using a public touchscreen. But they also find touchscreens to be convenient. We can hypothesize that there is a behavioural segment who would use self-service if it were touchless, rather than going to the counter.

An example of why this matters is that in quick-service restaurants, order sizes are typically larger at self-service than at the counter. This means that persuading even a small percentage of consumers who would have gone to the counter to use self-serve instead can result in a significant uplift.

Of course, any concerns about uncleanliness are not enough to stop significant proportions of consumers from using public touchscreens. Most consumers still find touchscreens easy to use and convenient.

This is good news for companies who have come to rely on self-service touchscreens in customer experience, as the problem isn’t the self-service itself – it’s touching the screen.

Further good news is that we found the problem of touchscreen hygiene is solvable. The public in our four markets is open to the idea of touchless solutions, with many preferring to use a touchless screen above a touchscreen. Many also claim that the option of a touchless screen would make them more likely to visit a store or restaurant.

Touchless solutions, such as Ultraleap TouchFree, look like a consumer-approved opportunity for retail and QSR companies looking to continue their digital transformation.

“The future of immersive digital commerce is just around the corner, and gestural interfaces are sure to be a growing part of this landscape… the possibilities are endless for how we can use it to benefit our customers – and our restaurant partners.”Mia Sorgi, Director of Digital Product and Experience - PepsiCo

The samples were balanced for age and gender, and in the US, also for pay. We achieved a robust sample with a narrow margin of error of +/- 4%, and a 99% completion rate.

In our survey of over 2000 consumers in the UK, US, China, and Japan, we explored the future of retail technology through attitudes to public touchscreens and touchless alternatives.

A 10-point multi-touch screen refers to a touch screen that has the ability to recognise and respond to ten simultaneous points of contact. This allows you to easily zoom, flick, rotate, swipe, drag, pinch, press, double tap or use other gestures with up to ten fingers on the screen at the same time.

Initially, touch screen products could only recognise one point of touch and perform one touch movement at a time. The technology then advanced to two points of contact and many touch screens still use this older technology.  But a screen that uses 10-point multi touch technology allows users to perform more complex actions on their touch screens than ever before. It also deals well with a shirt sleeve touching a screen, or a little droplet on the screen which can confuse two-point technology.

Some examples of where the 10-point multi-touch technology is best utilised is in product promotion and data visualisation situations. It allows businesses to tell their story and users can move seamlessly interact and browse through catalogues, data, images, simulations and 3-D presentations.

In presentation scenarios, large multi-touch monitors with 10-point multi-touch technology enable two or more people to operate the same monitor at once, performing independent functions. Applications of this can be in teaching, where a tutor can have two students making two separate input functions at the same time. Commercially, large displays can be used by multiple clients at the same time, either in retail or the hospitality sector. A good example is in a retail store, where a sales rep and a client can both collaborate and perform actions simultaneously on the same touch screen.

At InTouch Screens, we offer only the best in 10-point multi-touch technology, with a range in sizes from 10” to 55” screens. Our technology is the same technology used in most smartphones, so most users are comfortable with it immediately. Our driver-free plug-and-play operation for Windows touch screen solutions provides the simplest and fastest possible rollout. Simply plug the USB cable into your Windows PC and you are ready to flick the switch.

Additionally, our minimalist designs with flat bezel free screens and edge-to-edge glass make us a market leader in aesthetics and design. All of our touch screens are built with high-quality commercial grade components and toughened glass for projects where robustness and reliability are important. They are created to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we provide a 3-year warranty as standard.

When ordering any of our 10-point multi touch screen products, expect fast delivery across Australia. Contact us today and speak to one of our friendly sales team[email protected]or telephone 1300 557 219

Every visitor to the Witte will receive a disposable stylus that allows guests to interact with touch panels throughout the museum. Credit: Courtesy / Witte Museum

Almost all US museums closed during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. While a few reopened by summer, many decided to remain shuttered for the entire year, and often for these museums the only way to engage with the public has been via digital platforms. While we wait for the pandemic to end, museums must adapt to operating in a time of heightened concern regarding health and sanitation. Digital technologies can help museums enhance safety for staff and visitors, reassure the public, and reach audiences not ready to visit in person. However, digital solutions require time, training, and integration in addition to hard costs. What digital tools can help support museums during hard times to come, and how can museums assess whether and when to adopt these solutions?

This post is designed to help museum staff think through the pros and cons of potential digital strategies that may help museums face three challenges in the peri- and post-pandemic era:

For each challenge, I provide an overview, review some potential digital solutions, and offer a set of considerations for evaluating the ROI of implementing these solutions. I hope you use this as