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Photo: "A Smart Totem between 6 and 15 metres tall in an Ecuadorian pedestrian zone" / Photo credit & source: © Sensape
[Press release]
Konectado integrates Artificial Intelligence from German company SENSAPE GmbH into digital street furniture.
Faced with online shopping, bricks-and-mortar retail is losing ground. How digitalisation can improve a pedestrian zone is being tested in Guayaquil City, Ecuador. City-wide Wi-Fi coverage, charging stations for mobile devices and an integrated bench are combined in what is called a Smart Totem, equipping urban zones such as parks, event venues and any high-footfall location with intelligent connection points. To deliver targeted advertising on interactive screens and add utility and a fun factor through a gaming effect, Konectado is now collaborating with the Leipzig company SENSAPE GmbH.
SENSAPE produces intelligent digital signage systems built on Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality technologies. The Smart Totem uses the SENSAPE Recognition Box, which detects the age, gender and emotions of passers-by so that suitable advertising can be displayed in real time. In addition, SENSAPE's “Phantagram” technology is deployed – a photo world with AR elements such as hats or sunglasses. Passers-by can select individual elements using gestures and photograph themselves with them in the city centre.
“We think our technology fits the Smart Totem perfectly and we are delighted with the collaboration. Our own goal is to support bricks-and-mortar retail with our intelligent solutions. The Smart Totem makes the city centre more attractive and modern while personalising advertising. Companies reach their intended audience and passers-by only see advertising relevant to them. The photo function creates memories on top of that,” says SENSAPE Managing Director Matthias Freysoldt. The Smart Totems are also intended to build acceptance of digitalisation, and will initially be tested as a cluster of three totems in a small zone. Konectado describes the installations, which stand between 6 and 15 metres tall, as furniture for urban zones – individually designed to serve as an eye-catcher, charging station and place to rest.
