Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on July 16, 2019. It has since been updated with additional information.
Zytronic recently collaborated with Gizmo Bar in Greenville, S.C.’s NOMA Square that combines the function of a tech repair facility with the inviting comfort of a plush lounge.
The 3,000-square-foot space is outfitted with interactive technology powered by Zytronic’s Zybrid multitouch sensors and the ZXY500 touch controllers.
“Our vision is to deliver the convenience of on-site tech repair in a comfortable lounge atmosphere where people enjoy lingering to have a drink while their personal tech products are repaired on-site,” said Gizmo Bar founder Shaun Robertson in the recent announcement.
“Gizmo Bar aims to turn the inconvenience of tech repair on its head and deliver a social, communal experience that keeps people coming back,” he said.
Belly Up to Gizmo Bar
Gizmo Bar patrons can take a seat at the bar while their repairs are underway and enjoy a diverse selection of local craft brews. The bar itself is comprised of interactive touch screens which enable guests to browse the web and catch up on work while they wait.
Six 50-inch multitouch screens span the length of the bar, allowing 12 or more people to utilize the screens’ interactive capabilities simultaneously. Patrons can use the touchscreens to order food from local restaurants using dining delivery platforms such as UberEats, BiteSquad and Grubhub.
“The bar top itself is comprised of touchscreens arranged end-to-end, so we needed a solution rugged enough to withstand heavy use,” said Robertson.
The most common repairs made at Gizmo Bar—such as phone and tablet screen replacement—can be done on-site, usually within an hour. Staff are trained to repair not just phones and tablets but drones as well.
“The touch-interactive bar we showcase in Gizmo Bar’s Greenville location is just the beginning,” said Robertson.
Gizmo Bar will soon be updating the interactive bar with Zytronic’s proprietary Object Recognition technology, making it possible to simply place an item on the bar’s surface and have relevant information displayed automatically.
“For example, specially designed coasters could pull up information about the local craft breweries that supply our taps,” said Robertson. “It’s a great way to create a deeper connection between our customers and the products we offer.”
Robertson’s Gizmo Bar Greenville location serves as proof-of-concept for what he plans to roll out much more broadly in the southeastern U.S., with openings planned in Charlotte and Atlanta.
Future iterations of the Gizmo Bar concept may include a boutique retail component that features tech products from crowd-funding entrepreneurs and other small-scale tech manufacturers.
