Overview
Automated car wash kiosks have transformed the customer experience—allowing quick payment, wash selection, and receipt printing without ever leaving the driver’s seat. These kiosks must function reliably in outdoor conditions, interface with gate systems, and stay operational during peak customer demand.
In a self-service car wash, the user experience is everything—it’s often the first and only interaction a customer has with the brand. A fast, intuitive kiosk not only meets the customer’s expectation for convenience, keeps lines moving, and eliminates the need for on-site support. Just as importantly, a smooth experience builds trust—when the kiosk performs reliably, customers are more likely to have a positive overall experience and return for future washes.
At one regional car wash chain, replacing legacy PC hardware with Flexio-based kiosks cut maintenance calls and reduced hardware-related downtime. With increased reliability came improved customer satisfaction—and higher throughput during busy weekends.
With increased reliability came improved customer satisfaction—and higher throughput during busy weekends. More cars washed, more revenue earned.
The Challenge
Operating outdoors meant the kiosks had to withstand rain, dust, humidity, and extreme temperatures. The customer’s previous PC systems suffered frequent failures, couldn’t maintain performance in hot enclosures, and were not able to receive timely, actionable service and support from the vendor.
Additionally, they sought a more fully integrated solution that would meet not only their computing needs but would also allow for serial expansion without additional hardware.
The company needed a solution to overcome:
- Extreme Environmental Conditions: Systems had to operate reliably in hot, cold, humid, and dusty outdoor settings.
- Legacy Integration: Existing infrastructure relied on serial communication with gate controllers and wash equipment.
- Limited Space: Tight kiosk enclosures demanded a compact computing footprint.
- Frequent Failures: Off-the-shelf PCs with fans and moving parts were prone to overheating, breakdowns, and high maintenance costs.
- Scalability Concerns: Inconsistent component availability from previous vendors made it difficult to roll out upgrades across multiple locations.
They needed a rugged, compact system that was purpose-built for industrial environments.
Flexio delivered fanless durability, native serial ports, and reliable performance in all-weather environments. Its compact footprint made it ideal for tight kiosk enclosures, and its solid-state architecture meant fewer points of failure in critical operations.
The Solution
Sealevel recommended the Flexio Fanless Industrial Embedded Computer configured with an internal USB hub, for a system that met all technical requirements and environmental conditions for 24/7 kiosk operation.
- Wide Temperature Range: Designed for extreme environments without external cooling
- Legacy Device Support: Native serial ports to integrate with existing gate and wash systems
- Compact & Powerful: Fit in space-constrained enclosures while handling multiple I/O demands
- Low Maintenance: Solid-state, industrial design reduced on-site service needs
Flexio Fanless Industrial Embedded Computer Configuration
- Intel Atom® Processor
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- Dual Gigabit Ethernet Ports
- 6x USB Ports
- DisplayPort Video Output
- Audio Out
- 9–36 VDC Power Input
- 0°C to 60°C Operating Temperature Range
- Fanless, Solid-State Design for 24/7 Use