Olea Kiosks Inc's announcement today that it is changing its name overshadowed another announcement from the California-based company. It also today announced the launch of its SoHo kiosk model, a freestanding kiosk that offers a clean, uncluttered design from any angle. Olea CEO Frank Olea explained that the SoHo is designed for installation in the middle of open spaces, or in other locations where it can be seen from all sides.
That shift away from units designed to sit by a wall or in a corner presented challenges.
"It was a pretty serious challenge," Olea said. Cooling fans, locks, door hinges, power cables and the other necessary kiosk features that are usually external to the main body had to be incorporated into the unit's thin, slightly curved shape. By putting many of the components above the monitor, rather than below or behind it, and by lifting the unit to allow more cooling air from below, Olea designers eliminated many of the vents and external items from the design.
To further trim the design, Olea said the SoHo features a fold-forward access panel that makes up the kiosk's front fascia. Not only does this eliminate door and hinge lines, but it also makes service easier. A SoHo kiosk deployed in the middle of heavy merchandising or in front of immoveable objects would not have to be moved for servicing, saving on maintenance costs and effort.
Olea does not have a SoHo kiosk on display in its booth at KioskCom, but its representatives are presenting detailed CAD images of the design using an iPad-based slideshow.
