Kiosk, Companion and NOW! App

This section clarifies the terms and shows you how Kiosk (touchscreen in the center), Companion (the mobile user interface), and the NOW! App interact.

Terms

Kiosk

The Kiosk is the physical touchscreen terminal in the center. Visitors use it on-site for navigation, shop searches, offers, events, and services. Depending on the configuration of the center, the kiosk can display various app types (e.g., pure navigation, Smart Search with AI, feedback terminal). The Template (e.g., Premium AI) determines layout, colors, and which functions are visible. Optional additional modules (traffic, social feed, public transport departures) and accessible modes (wheelchair, elevator, simplified language) can be activated. During inactivity, the kiosk can switch to a DOOH advertisement slot – details under DOOH Mode in Kiosk.

Companion

Companion is the technical term for the mobile web app that visitors use on their own smartphones. It is opened via a QR code or link (e.g., after "Continue on phone" at the kiosk). The content offers the same experience as the kiosk: center map, navigation, shops, offers, events – plus the concierge (AI assistant) and optional parking or group session.

Other signage templates with Companion (e.g. AI Premium) use the same platform logic: public Companion URL via signage-companion-registry (slug under /companion/t/...), handoff with centerId, sessionKey, etc. Options and content come from the cockpit.

3D or 2D-SVG Center Map (NOW! / Navigation): Each center can choose between 3D-isometric and 2D-SVG map in companionConfig.layout.centerplanMapMode (3d or svg). In the dashboard, you can access this in two places (both save the same setting):

• Kiosk Configuration → Tab Companion App → Layout Options → Center Map (Navigation) (buttons 3D / SVG / 2D)
• Digital Experience → Companion → Map Center Map (NOW! and Navigation)

The signage app reads the value via the Center Config API; optional signage template options (companion.force2DMap / centerplanMapMode) can act as a fallback if no explicit mode is set in the DB.

NOW! App

NOW! is the marketing name of the Companion app for end users. In the UI and communication, you refer to it as "NOW!" (e.g., "Continue in the NOW! App"). Configuration and technical settings can be found in the dashboard under "NOW! Configuration" (in the Center Website tab). Here you set whether the NOW! App is active for the center and how it is integrated.

v0 / Vercel — in addition to cockpit

Cockpit website, signage, and Companion on cockpit-os.de remain. v0/Vercel is a second channel with the same API. Management under Digital Experience → Companion → Hosting (website, signage, companion v0 URLs). Details: Parallel Frontends

Distinction

Term	Meaning
Kiosk	On-site terminal, a template (e.g., Premium AI) provides the interface.
Companion	Mobile web app; technical term in code and documentation.
NOW!	Product name of the Companion for guests and marketing.
Template	Determines the look and features of Kiosk and Companion together (e.g., Premium AI).

Every Kiosk app type (navigator, Smart Search, feedback terminal, etc.) can connect to Companion/NOW!. "Continue on phone" (Handoff) is platform-wide: the kiosk shows a QR code, which the visitor scans and lands in the NOW! app with the same session (center, possibly route or destination).

v0 / own signage frontends: Build Kiosk and Companion/NOW! as a pair in the same project — Copy-Paste Instructions Parts H + I in v0 + Cockpit (How it works); Details System Info for v0.

Tutorial: Typical Use Cases

Scenario 1: Start Route at Kiosk, Continue on Phone (Handoff)

1. Visitor searches for a shop (e.g., "Saturn") at the Kiosk and starts navigation.
2. They tap on "Continue on Phone" (or "Route continue on phone").
3. An overlay shows a QR code. They scan it with their phone.
4. The NOW! App opens with the same center; the route or destination is taken over.
5. They continue using the app: center map, concierge, possibly "Show on Map" for shops.

Scenario 2: Open NOW! App Directly (without Kiosk)

1. Visitor opens the link to the NOW! App (e.g., from the center website or a printed QR).
2. They select the center (if ambiguous) and land on the home page: center map, highlights, concierge.
3. They can immediately ask ("Where is Saturn?") or navigate through the map.

Scenario 3: Traveling in Pairs (Share Session / Group Mode)

1. Person A is at the Kiosk and taps on "Invite Companion" (or in the app "Share Session").
2. The Kiosk shows a QR code and a short Join Code.
3. Person B scans the QR (or enters the code in the NOW! App) and joins the same session.
4. Both see the indicator "In Group" in the app; everyone can use their own destinations, and the concierge can help with meeting point questions.

You can also start the group mode from the NOW! App: Tap on "Share Session" in the header – then the same QR/Code appears for the second person.

What does session sharing / inviting a companion offer?

For whom	Benefit
Visitor (pair/group)	Both have the same digital "session": map, concierge, and context. One searches for a shop while the other asks "Where do we meet?" – the concierge can make meeting point suggestions. No need to type in destinations, no separate apps.
Center	Groups linger longer and use the app together; the function promotes "we are traveling together" and strengthens the NOW! App as a companion for the entire visit.

What can you do in Group Mode?

Once both see "In Group," the following applies:

Action	Description
Shared Context	Both use the same center view (map, offers, events). The concierge (AI assistant) knows the group context and can suggest fitting answers to questions like "Where do we meet?" or "Is there a central meeting point?"
Individual Paths	Each person can use navigation separately (e.g., "Route to Saturn" on one phone, "Route to H&M" on the other). There is no shared "one route for all" – each sees their own navigation.
Meeting Point Questions	Questions like "Where can we meet in the middle?" or "Café between ground floor and first floor?" can be answered by the concierge in group mode and mention central places (atrium, food court).
Badge "In Group"	Both devices show the badge "In Group" in the header – so it is clear that the session is shared.
Other functions as usual	Remember parking, hot picks, reserve & collect, zoom in on the center map, etc. work on each device like in the individual session.

Note: The group mode only connects the two devices through the shared group (same context for the concierge and visible "In Group"). No real-time locations are shared; each uses the app independently, with the advantage that the assistant knows the group context.

"Where is my companion?" / Parking: For the concierge to respond on the other device (e.g., "Your companion is at Zara" or "They parked at P1 North"), the other person must have done something once: e.g., tapped on the shop on the map (then it will be shared "at [Shop]") or scanned a parking QR (then the parking will be shared). Once the companion has sent a message or used the app, the concierge takes this context for the partner's next question.

Test session sharing / inviting a companion

Here's how to technically check the function from a user perspective:

1. Create a group

   • Option A (Kiosk): Tap on "Invite Companion" at the Kiosk (e.g., Premium AI) → An overlay with QR code and 6-digit join code appears.
   • Option B (App): Open NOW! App with ?centerId=... → Tap on "Share Session" in the header → QR and code appear.

2. Joining (second person)

   • Scan the displayed QR code on a second device (phone or browser tab) (camera app or browser with QR scanner) or open the NOW! App and manually call the URL:
     https://[Signage-Domain]/companion/t/premium?joinCode=[6-digit Code]&centerId=[Center-ID]
   • The second person lands in the same center view; the badge "In Group" appears in the header.

3. Quick test without a second device

   • Open "Share Session", note the 6-digit code.
   • In a new tab (or incognito), access the same signage domain with:
     /companion/t/premium?joinCode=XXXXXX&centerId=YOUR_CENTER_ID
     (Center ID from the first URL or from the dashboard.)
   • Once loaded, "In Group" should be visible.

4. Typical errors

   • Join fails: Dashboard API must be reachable from the signage domain (CORS); check NEXT_PUBLIC_DASHBOARD_URL or dashboard URL for the signage app.
   • No "In Group": Check join request to dashboard POST /api/group-session/join (Network tab); note 4xx/5xx error messages from API (e.g., expired or wrong code, wrong center ID).

Scenario 4: Parking QR

1. Visitor scans a parking QR (e.g., at the pillar in the parking garage).
2. They are directed to the NOW! App; the app remembers the parking (name/area).
3. The header states, e.g., "Parked: P1 North"; the concierge knows the context ("Where did I park?", "Coffee on the way to the car").

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Scenario 5: AR Navigation and Shopfront Detection (Beta)

1. Visitor initiates navigation in the NOW! App (via Kiosk handoff or directly).
2. In the wayfinding view, they tap "AR" – the view switches from the 3D map to the camera live image.
3. An arrow indicates the direction to the target. The app uses gyroscope and step detection to estimate the position.
4. Along the way, they can point the camera at a shopfront: the app automatically recognizes the store (image tracking) and displays name, category, current offers, and events as an AR overlay.
5. The recognized shopfront simultaneously corrects the navigation (re-calibration without QR scan).
6. They can switch back to the 3D view at any time using "Show on Map".

Requirement: The center has uploaded shopfront images in the dashboard and compiled AR markers. The feature is marked as Beta and can be activated/deactivated per center.

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Use Cases for Visitors

Use Case	Short Description	Where to Start
Take Route with You	Choose destination at the kiosk, scan QR – continue using route and info in the NOW! app, without staying at the terminal.	Kiosk → "Continue on Phone"
Shopping in Pairs	One person starts, the other scans the group QR – both in the same session, can ask concierge for meeting point questions.	Kiosk "Invite Companion" or NOW! App "Share Session"
Find Parking Again	Scan parking QR → app remembers "Parked: P1 North"; later ask "Where did I park?" or "Route to car" in concierge.	Parking QR (pillar/wall)
AR Navigation (Beta)	Switch to "AR" in NOW! app – camera shows directional arrow; detects shopfronts for info and re-calibration.	NOW! App -- Wayfinding -- AR
Plan Before Visit	Open NOW! app from home (link/QR from center website) – view center map, events, offers, prepare route.	Center website / printed QR
Spontaneously Ask	Without kiosk: open NOW! app and ask "Where can I get coffee?" or "What are H&M's opening hours?" – concierge responds with shops and info.	NOW! App directly
Discover Offers & Events	Browse hot picks, news, and events in the app; use reserve & collect and receive pickup code for the shop.	Kiosk or NOW! App

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What does the Center Gain From It?

The combination of Kiosk, handoff, and NOW! App (including session sharing) brings measurable and strategic benefits to the center:

Benefit	Explanation
Higher Navigation Usage	Visitors who carry the route on their phones actually use it while walking – rather than just glancing once at the kiosk.
Longer Dwell Time	Users of the app (route, concierge, offers) often stay longer in the center and discover more shops.
More Group Visits	"Share Session" makes the center attractive for couples, families, or friend groups – one person starts, everyone has the same digital companion.
Less "Getting Lost"	Parking QR and concierge reduce search stress ("Where was I parked?", "Where is the nearest exit?") and improve the experience.
Stronger Brand Loyalty	Repeated use of the NOW! app (e.g., before visiting, when parking, in a group) solidifies the perception of the center as service-oriented.
Data for Optimization	Anonymous journey data (e.g., which paths are used, handoff from kiosk to app) help the center improve offers and layout – compliant with GDPR.
Cross-Selling Across Channels	Hot picks, reserve & collect, and DOOH can be used together; visitors see offers at the kiosk, in the app, and on screens – a rounded experience.

In short: Kiosk and NOW! App with handoff and session sharing increase utility on-site, promote group visits, and provide the center with insights without personal profiling.

Check if the Route is Drawn (Navigation)

To display the blue route line on the 3D map, the following conditions must be met:

1. SVG of the floor contains a Routes layer (#routes or #Routes) with lines (<line> or <path>) that form a continuous path network.
2. A target is set: e.g., by clicking on a shop/service on the map or by searching ("Route to Saturn").
3. The starting point ("You are here") and target are either within the path network or close enough (max. about 120 px distance from an endpoint of a line).

How to check it:

• Visually: Open the Kiosk or NOW! App with the 3D map → tap on a shop or service on the map (or select a target via search). If the route can be calculated, the blue line will appear on the floor of the 3D view.
• Browser Console (Development): With the signage app running (e.g., pnpm dev in the folder apps/digital-signage), open the Developer Tools (F12) → Tab Console. When tapping a target, messages will appear:
  • [Wayfinding] Route drawn: X points, target: shop-xy → Route is drawn.
  • [Wayfinding] No route segments in the SVG (#routes / #Routes) → SVG has no routes layer or it is not recognized.
  • [Wayfinding] Target not found in SVG: ... → The chosen target ID does not exist in the current floor SVG.
  • [Wayfinding] No path found (start/target not connected to path network?) → The path network does not extend to start or target; possibly extend lines in the routes layer or adjust the starting point.

Note: Each floor loads its respective floor SVG. Each floor needs a separate routes layer and appropriate shop/service IDs for the route to function across all levels. The Route Source (only SVG, only dashboard route editor, or automatic) can be selected per center in the kiosk options – see Premium AI Template.

Technical Assignment (for Editorial/Support)

• Kiosk Configuration: Dashboard – Center – Digital Signage / Kiosk: Select app type and template; optional modules (traffic, social, public transport) and navigation source (SVG vs. route editor) in the template options.
• Activate NOW! / Companion: Dashboard – Center – Center Website – NOW! Configuration.
• Handoff URLs: Uniform across the platform (session, centerId, optional shop/screen); templates provide only the skin of the QR overlay.
• Companion URL (Premium): Typically /companion/t/premium?centerId=...; additional parameters like sessionKey, joinCode, shop are appended based on the scenario.

Further technical details can be found in the Premium AI Template and under Concierge.