Pyramid Computers is a German specialist in high performance computing (HPC). It has three businesses based on this core competence. One is the high performance computing business itself (and apparently its special HPC systems were used in part of the calculations recently that showed the existence of gravitational waves). A second business uses the technology in industrial automation, and especially machine vision. The third area is in digital signage and multi-touch, where it exploits the understanding of machine vision and pattern recognition. It sells its touch systems under the PolyTouch brand.
The first demonstration we looked at was not really display-related, but was interesting. The company has a modular “locker” system that is controlled from a central console. A consumer can buy a product by registering their credit card. Once this is done, the locker is automatically opened and the user can try the product or take it. A scanner in the locker identifies the object and the system photographs the locker when it is opened or closed. In the example at the show, trainers were being shown. Of course, a consumer could put a replacement product back in (e.g. old trainers) and this can’t be prevented, but there is evidence from the photograph and the action is linked to the credit card.
Pyramid’s lockers allow ‘out of hours’ sales. Image:Meko
Pyramid has been working on kiosk applications in high traffic Macdonalds stores as the company finds that it speeds up customer service (4,000 have been installed so far). The firm told us that often in quick service restaurants (QSRs), the details of an order are not really sorted out until the customer is at the head of the queue and that delays everything. We also heard that QSRs are moving away from simply dispensing pre-cooked food and moving to a “cook to order” model. In this case, it’s essential that the order is placed as quickly as possible to avoid additonal delay.
The firm has also developed customised systems for cinema operator, AMC, and we were told that this has boosted revenues by up to 40% because of the better user experience and opportunity to up-sell.
Also on the booth was a table built around 3M’s metal mesh Procap technology which uses specially pre-prepared objects which can be identified by the touch system and so can be used to manipulate objects or perform actions. The tables are available in a wide range of sizes up to 65″ with UltraHD.
Another project has been developed in conjunction with Frankfurt airport and uses 46″ displays. Travellers can use the display to scan their boarding card and the sign can then give advice and way-finding advice as well as providing special offers based on the outlets that will be passed on the way. 18 systems will initially be installed in 2016.
