In the period from 7 to 17 April, 2021, the citizens of Rijeka were able to directly join the CEKOM project (Center of Competence for Smart Cities)- a three-year project of national importance and also the largest development project in Croatia in the field of information and communication solutions aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens. As part of this project, the citizens of Rijeka will have the opportunity to choose one from the two offered visual solutions of a multifunctional info point, which will be located at one of Rijeka’s location. It is, as part of the CEKOM’s living and activities project entitled “Research and Establishment of Technological Concept of Industrial Design and Development of Advanced and Innovative Tools for the Two-way Communication Between the Citizens and the City,” developed by Croatian Telekom as a technological partner in the project.
The multifunctional info point will look like an up-to-date version of a traditional telephone booth with a number of additional benefits, while also meeting the needs of smart cities and providing access for people with disabilities. It is a stand-alone multifunctional device with a canopy, a telephone, and two touch screens, suitable for digital display of the city information and digital advertising. In addition to its primary function as a payphone, the device will also offer Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless mobile phone charging, display of CEKOM project results and various useful information about the City of Rijeka, such as the public transport maps, timetables and travel information, cultural events in the city, recommendations of public locations (such as nearest restaurants, cinemas, theaters, hospitals, libraries, museums, etc.) and weather forecasts.
After two visual and usable product concepts have been designed, the next phase of the development includes the involvement of Rijeka’s citizens in choosing one from the two offered solutions or proposals, which will thus decide the solution to be developed. Both solutions are inspired by the forms of Rijeka′s views in which triangular shapes such as cranes, sailboats and bell towers are repeated.
SOLUTION #1
The first solution is based on a network of triangles composed of different types of plates – steel plate that protects from the sun and rain, polycarbonate transparent magenta-colored plates, which creates interesting shadows when exposed to the sun, and light plates.
All panels are sloped so that rain does not retain on the roof of the device. The triangular base encourages movement around the device, exploring all its parts and facilitates positioning. All labels are lit to make them stand out at night and to encourage the device usage.
The side with the telephone is tilted and covered to protect the user and facilitate the access for people with disabilities.
On the left side there is an interactive screen with interesting facts about the sights of Rijeka, current events in the city, as well as the current offers, but also information such as the weather forecast and the results of the CEKOM project.
On the third page, there is a large screen that is used for digital advertising and sharing of important information with passersby.
Learn more about the proposal # 1
The survey is completed
SOLUTION #2
Unlike the first, the second solution has a two-sided design, one side being interactive and the other side having an advertising digital surface. It is a combination of a metal base with polycarbonate illuminated surfaces.
On the front part, there is a payphone and to its right, an interactive screen where you can find interesting facts about the sights of Rijeka, current events in the city, as well as the current offers, but also information such as weather forecast and the CEKOM project results.
Underneath the interactive screen, there is an area where mobile phones could be charged, while on the back side there is a large screen for display of digital advertisements and useful information.
The roof of the payphone protects from the rain and is associated with the crashing of a wave, and the line that descends laterally from it and continuously bypasses the form is associated with the shoreline.
Learn more about the proposal # 2
The survey is completed
After the citizens of Rijeka choose one of the visual solutions offered, they will start working on the device itself and place it on one of the locations in the city of Rijeka for the purpose of further testing and research within the CEKOM project. During this period, the durability of the device will be tested both on the external and all other necessary conditions and parameters.
