Charlotte is preparing to install 30 interactive kiosks in busy areas that will give residents and visitors free Wi-Fi, touchscreen navigation, real-time transit updates, city event listings, and emergency alerts. The kiosks will also highlight local businesses, feature multilingual and ADA-compliant displays, and provide wayfinding tools to help people navigate the city more easily.
The project comes through a proposed agreement with IKE Smart City and will not require any upfront cost to the city. Instead, Charlotte will receive either 30% of ad revenue or a minimum of $8,000 per kiosk annually, adding up to at least $240,000 in new revenue each year.
Planned kiosk locations include Corridors of Opportunity and Municipal Service Districts such as Beatties Ford Road, University City, SouthPark, and South End. IKE Smart City will manage design, installation, maintenance, and content, while city departments coordinate permitting and compliance.
To move forward, Charlotte City Council must approve changes to city ordinances allowing kiosks and illuminated signage in public rights-of-way. Once approved, installation is expected to begin after permitting.
If adopted, the kiosks are expected to improve civic engagement, boost economic development, and give residents faster access to essential city information.
