Projects: Interactive Kiosk Does Car Dealer Service Desk’s Work After-Hours

June 23, 2017 by Dave Haynes

Via Linkedin, here’s a Ford dealer in Albuquerque, NM using an interactive kiosk that does the work of an auto service desk after hours.

The Panasonic Smart Service Kiosk handles drop off and payment, and gives you back your keys after said payment, all (I assume) geared to people who can’t do the drop-off or pick-up on the dealership’s opening hours schedule.

It is part of a test that started in March at a Michigan dealership, “an industry-first Smart Service Kiosk aimed at increasing customer convenience related to vehicle service,” says a Ford press release. “The kiosk allows customers to come to the dealership at any time to drop off and pick up their vehicle key or obtain keys to a loaner vehicle, select needed services from a quick-pick menu, and pay for service using a credit or debit card.”

“At Ford, our goal always is to make customers’ lives better, through both our products and services,” says Brad Brownell, director, Ford Global Distribution Strategy. “Smart Service Kiosk enables Ford customers to drop off, pick up, select and pay for their vehicle service on their time, whether it’s outside of dealership service hours or to avoid waiting in line if the service staff is busy.”

Designed for ease of use by Panasonic in collaboration with GoMoto, drop-off begins with customers entering their name and address using the kiosk touchscreen or by scanning their driver’s license QR code, then entering their e-mail and phone number. From there, they enter vehicle information, create a security PIN (for kiosk key-retrieval at pick-up), select services from a quick-pick menu (detailed comments also can be entered) and deposit their key. Customers receive an e-mail confirmation with a QR Code that must be scanned for key retrieval if picking up using the kiosk.

Very clever and goes directly to my endless mantra with clients and anyone who will listen that interactive signage needs to make something faster, better and/or easier. This does.

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