LG Launches Revolutionary Line of Self-Ordering Kiosks Designed for Accessibility
LG Electronics Unveils Accessible Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks
LG Electronics USA has announced the release of its Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks, designed to cater to users with vision, mobility, and hearing disabilities. The kiosks, available in three hardware versions, feature motorized height-adjustable pedestals and advanced assistive technologies to enhance accessibility.
The kiosks are equipped with a motorized height-adjustable pedestal, benefiting wheelchair users and people of varying heights. This feature ensures comfortable, independent use for all. The kiosks also incorporate assistive technologies such as Vispero’s JAWS® for Kiosk screen reader, Storm Interface’s tactile AudioNav™ keypads, and SoundHound AI’s voice interface.
The JAWS screen reader enables audio navigation for visually impaired users, while the AudioNav keypads offer tactile input with both 6- and 9-key layouts. The voice interface allows for hands-free control and voice commands, making the kiosks accessible for hearing-impaired users as well.
The Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks are compatible with Kokomo 24/7 for health and safety management in education and clinical settings. They also support peripherals such as Epson receipt printers and modular barcode/QR scanners, with additional webcam accessories in development to further expand functionality.
The modular and flexible design of the kiosks makes them suitable for diverse sectors like retail, transit, healthcare, and hospitality. The development process involved ongoing user feedback from people with vision, mobility, and hearing disabilities, ensuring the kiosks go beyond mere compliance to meet real-world user needs.
Peter Kim, B2B strategic alliance team leader at LG Electronics USA, emphasized the importance of technology empowering everyone, and accessibility being embedded in the DNA of these kiosks. Michael O'Hare, director of systems accessibility at TFA, who collaborated with LG during the development process, highlighted the importance of getting accessibility in the early stages, as it's difficult to fix things later, especially on hardware.
In summary, the key benefits of the Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks are enhanced accessibility through adjustable height and multiple assistive tech options, hands-free operation and audio/tactile support for vision and hearing impaired users, a modular design fitting multiple industries and adaptable with additional peripherals, and a design philosophy focused on true usability and user-centered improvements rather than just regulatory compliance.
This marks TFA's first involvement in kiosk hardware from the concept stage, and a webcam accessory is in development for the kiosks to expand functionality even further. The Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks (KC3P-M series) were intentionally designed with inclusion at their core, based on feedback from accessibility consultant Tech for All (TFA).
The new Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks by LG Electronics are equipped with a voice interface technology, allowing for hands-free control and voice commands, catering to hearing-impaired users. Furthermore, the kiosks' displays also incorporate audio navigational technologies, such as Storm Interface's tactile AudioNav™ keypads and Vispero’s JAWS® for Kiosk screen reader, ensuring collaboration of various accessibility platforms for users with vision and hearing disabilities.
