Trends In Outdoor Digital Signage Add-Ons And The Rise Of Smart City Solutions

Outdoor digital signs represent the backbone of the smart city. The main function of digital signs is becoming more focused on improving life in our urban areas by delivering better services and keeping people safe.

Innovative outdoor LCD kiosk solutions are based on any combination of interactive signage, that can be equipped with numerous add-ons. So, what are trending add-ons in the new era of digital signage?

Environmental sensors

Outdoor digital signs are generally placed in a public area with the highest footfall, such as main commuter runs. These locations are perfect for real-time environmental monitoring and for communication between cities and their citizens. Environmental factors have a major impact on the health and wellbeing of communities. Through pollution source detection, the city can take corrective measures and improve its environmental health.

With integrated environmental sensors, outdoor digital totems can provide environmental monitoring and also instant, effective communication.

Environmental Sensors integrated in smart city totem imotion URBAN 18P

Cameras

The ability to display the right content at the right time and right place is the key to providing effective digital signage. Adverts triggered by cold weather, high pollen count, traffic flow and even dogs have much greater response rates. Integrated high-resolution cameras can anonymously predict the age and gender of passersby. This information can be used to select the most appropriate content for those passers. Information can be also analyzed to help system operators in creating new, engaging content and campaigns.

For example, a Croatian advertising company used cameras to recognize the size and breed of a passing dog. Based on that information personalized ad was played on imotion outdoor digital sign. This simple algorithm resulted in increased engagement by three times.

Cameras detecting size of a dog and showing specific ads on imotion G6 75 Portrait Doubleside

Mobile integrations

We spend a significant amount of time on our phones, so it makes sense that digital signage would find some way to communicate with that device. COVID-19 started a new touchless interactivity trend. Passersby are less likely to touch public touchscreen and are now preferring to interact with “interactive” digital signage content from the safety of their own screen.

QR codes are hardly cutting-edge technology. They are more than thirty years old and have been a longstanding joke in the creative industries. But the pandemic has brought QR codes back into the mainstream. In many European countries, QR codes are the backbones of the governments’ COVID-19 tracking apps. They are easier to use since most smartphone cameras will automatically recognize and scan QR codes. Scanning a QR code is probably the most direct and efficient way of integrating mobile devices into digital signage.

Integration of NFC modules allows digital signage network operators to extend calls to action on a passersby mobile device. Imagine watching a video on an outdoor digital sign, placed at the entrance of the ZOO. As the video plays, a call to action appears, with a free virtual guide offer, which can be accessed by placing a mobile phone near the integrated NFC module. The active NFC module can then also trigger action to play specific content on the digital sign.

NFC module on imotion Safety Point

AED Compartment

Sudden cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death in the world. The only way to restore a regular heart rhythm during cardiac arrest is to use an automated external defibrillator.

Built-in defibrillator kiosks are addressing the need for public accessible AED. In case of an emergency, passersby can quickly and easily get access to a defibrillator and also know how to use it. After all, digital signs are a communication tool. In the sudden cardiac arrest seconds matter! For each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are reduced by approximately 10%. Having access to AED and knowing how to use one is critical.

AED Module on the site of imotion FLOW

Hearing Loop

Hearing loops (also known as induction loops) are assistive listening technology. They are addressing hearing aids problems in public spaces.

Imotion Digital Hearing Loop System contains an inbuilt coil, enabling it to broadcast to a wider height range with a strong signal and little interference.  With EDGE GLASS design, the perimeter doesn’t need to be built into the floor, or on visible parts of the totem, to receive communication. Instead, it can be integrated behind the double-layered 4+4 mm protective glass, which is covering upper, front part of the outdoor digital sign.

The hearing loop service can be easily activated by the user, by activating the “T-Switch” on their hearing device. 

Conclusion

If you're not already integrating outdoor digital signage into your business, then it's time to think seriously about doing so. Smart cities may be a trendy buzzword, but they are more and more becoming reality and outdoor digital signs are their backbones.

By implementing innovative outdoor LCD kiosk solutions your business can deliver a great ROI for years to come and also help to improve life in our urban areas.