Sleek New Interactive Kiosks Promise to Boost Downtown Seattle

Downtown Seattle will soon be home to 30 interactive kiosks designed to improve the visitor experience.

The touchscreens should be installed prior to the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Seattle next summer. The city will host six matches at Lumen Field in June and July next year, and more than 750,000 visitors are projected. The economic impact is projected at nearly $1 billion.

“These kiosks will help people navigate the city, discover local businesses and stay connected,” says Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes, adding that they should also generate revenue for downtown businesses. It’s an “important step forward for downtown, and a smart, zero-cost solution.”

Additional installations are eventually planned for the SoDo, Ballard, West Seattle and University District neighborhoods. The Seattle City Council approved the kiosks earlier this week.

Ohio-based Orange Barrel Media designed the kiosks, called IKE (interactive kiosk experience).  They are already operating in more than 20 cities nationwide.

In Seattle, they’ll provide things such as real-time transit information, offer Wi-Fi and display digital art, and will have emergency call buttons and public alerts. Advertising revenue from the kiosks will fund Downtown Seattle Association and Metropolitan Improvement District services.

They come at a time when downtown Seattle is drawing more workers and visitors, though foot traffic is still down from pre-pandemic levels.