While we're probably a few years off from Ironman's interactive air-touch displays and a long way away from Star Trek's instant transportation, we're getting much closer to the sci-fi tech depicted in 2002 Steven Spielberg film, Minority Report. 

For those unfamiliar with the movie, it's an action-detective thriller set in the year 2054, where police combine psychic abilities and futuristic technology to solve crimes before they're committed. 

But it's not the pre-crime tech (they use air-touch displays as well) that we're getting closer to.  Rather, it's the shopping displays and other digital signs portrayed in the movie that are actually capable of existing in our real world today.

Here's a quick look at how smart digital signage is used in the film:

We don't use optic scanners, but we're already incorporating the basic framework of biometric technology on our smartphones and other devices. 

Apple uses both fingerprinting scanning and facial recognition. Alexa uses voice recognition. Google uses all three to create a complete smart home. Technology of this type is expanding, so smart digital displays, like those in the film, are not ruled out. 

As the demand for artificial intelligence and hyper-personalized experiences grows, we already see early applications of this technology appearing in various industries.

‍Smart Digital Displays Are the Future Of Personalization

Imagine going into your favorite store, standing in front of a mirror, and trying on different outfits without, well, actually trying them on. With smart digital displays called smart mirrors, that's a possibility. 

Warby Parker already offers a version of this tech via their app. Users can use their personal devices to try on frames in real-time and place their orders without actually needing to handle the product. 

Adidas, on the other hand, took this even further. They started equipping their fitting rooms with RFID and immersive technology to create a more personalized shopping experience.  

Customers can try on a product while the smart mirror pulls up the specs and promotional videos for said product. Requesting a new size or having one shipped directly to them can all be done without ever having to leave the fitting room. 

Additionally, another smart display allows the customer to change the scenery so they can see what they're wearing in different locations. They can take pictures of themselves and post those photos to their social media accounts, providing Adidas with free advertising. 

It's hard to separate Adidas's wide range of digital displays and smart digital signage from the futuristic shopping displays of Minority Report. See how they use this tech to create a unique customer experience:

Rachel Friedman, founder and CEO of Tenfold and Tenspace, uses smart displays to attract consumers by creating memorable experiences. 

She said that, “Content is king…[and] it's about hitting the different layers of technology. If [customers] remember that experience, it creates a sticking point bond with that certain brand.” 

And that's exactly what Adidas has done. The best part is that all this personal information is loaded into their CRM, meaning they have everything they need to build individually-tailored experiences. 

As we continue to make the shift towards creating hyper-personalized customer experiences, you'll see more and more smart digital signage popping up in every industry.

The Rise of AI: What's Next on the Digital Signage Horizon

The best part of using smart digital signage is that it can be coupled with AI, and all this information can be loaded into your CRM, allowing you to build individually-tailored experiences. 

What does this look like? Well, in Minority Report, the moment Tom Cruise walks into the Gap, he's biometrically scanned and greeted by a large AI display that asks him how his last purchase worked from him. You can see the short scene here. 

In the real world, we're able to use biometric identification to build a virtual profile that allows a brand's AI to collect information about us. Facebook, Instagram, and other social media already do this on a daily basis. 

Their AI (algorithm) filters through an individual's activity and provides them with relevant content, suggestions, or even creates a semblance of casual conversation related to the individual. 

We've all heard the running joke that if you mention something near your phone, you're bound to see it appear as an ad later. But it's not necessarily a joke. If the brand you're interacting with uses voice recognition, then this is just an example of AI at work. 

But doesn't this mean you'll have less privacy? 

Not necessarily. Algorithms can be (and already are) programmed to segment your data into a wide range of attributes. For example, based on your gender, geolocation, and age, you'll receive ads that are tailored for you.

The television industry has done this same technique for years. If you flip through the various channels, you'll see ads that fit the demographic and target audience. You won't find Joanna Gaines Hearth and Home ads on the Disney channel, but you'll find them on HGTV.

The more the customer interacts with your brand, the more data the system will have to access. And this will have a major impact across all industries, not just retail. 

Hospitality, travel, education, entertainment, banking, healthcare, and more will benefit from smart digital signage and AI. 

Think about this scenario. You're in another country, and you catch a common cold. You walk into the nearest pharmacy to get some medicine, and the AI smart display greets you in your native language and asks if you need any assistance. 

You can communicate your needs with the display, which shows you exactly what aisle the product is in and the packaging you need to look for.

Or you go to a new restaurant, and your table is equipped with a personal kiosk that displays a tailored menu based on your purchase history and known allergies.

While this seems really futuristic, these concepts use systems we already have (translators, algorithms, inventory, 3D mapping, CRMs, etc.). 

The more we continue to pair these two technologies together, the more possibilities we'll have to bring sci-fi tech into reality.

Your #1 Smart Digital Signage Solution

Jump into the future and update your digital signage with the most innovative solution on the market, Wallboard. 

This cloud-based platform is your solution for creating, editing, and publishing your digital signage content from anywhere in the world. It features:

• A user-friendly interface 
• Drag-and-drop editor
• Completely customizable templates 
• Ability to create dynamic content
• Native Integration with AI technology for Face and Gender Detection 

Check out this quick video that gives you a quick taste of everything we have to offer:

Ready to create smart digital signage that's years ahead of your competition? Schedule a demo.