This article shares an idea for building a smart checkout box for hotels — a compact device where guests can insert their room key card to check out on their own. The concept leverages the KIWI embedded board, which handles card reading, server communication via MQTT, and provides immediate feedback through lights and sound.

The box reads the card's UID, sends the info to a backend server, and responds based on the result — for example, flashing a green light for success, red for error, or playing a sound to guide the guest.

How the System Works

The checkout box is designed for self-service guest checkout using IC cards (room keys). Once a guest inserts their card:

1. The system reads the unique card UID.
2. The UID, along with hotel and device identifiers, is sent to the backend server using the MQTT protocol.
3. Based on the response, the system triggers:
   • Green light + confirmation sound (checkout success),
   • Red light + voice message (error or front desk assistance).

This real-time interaction enhances guest satisfaction and reduces the front desk workload, particularly during peak checkout hours.

Why the KIWI Board is the Intelligent Backbone of This System

At the core of this innovative checkout solution is the KIWI board, a high-performance embedded platform powered by Intel® Alder Lake processors, designed specifically for edge intelligence and real-world reliability. The board doesn’t just support the application — it powers every critical function with industrial precision and efficiency.

Here’s how the KIWI board brings the entire system to life:

• Alder Lake CPU for Real-Time Edge Computing 

The hybrid architecture handles concurrent tasks like card reading, MQTT messaging, and LED/audio control with minimal latency, essential for real-time guest interactions.

• USB 3.2 for Ultra-Fast Card Reading 

Thanks to USB 3.2, IC card UID detection is near-instant, even under high traffic.

• NVMe Storage for Speed and Reliability

Logs, configuration files, and MP3 audio playback benefit from fast NVMe access, ensuring quick system boot and smooth feedback.

• Reliable GPIO for Visual Feedback

LEDs are controlled through GPIO interfaces, allowing them to display different colors and provide instant visual cues in any lighting condition.

Sample Code and Go Library Fundamentals

To help developers and integrators explore the potential of KIWI boards with Go, we provide a comprehensive sample implementation designed to demonstrate the core functionality of our custom libraries. Download Sample Code Here.

About KIWI board

KIWI board is a complete solution provider, supporting all aspects of your project, from hardware to software to system integration, to keep your application running securely, reliably, and at peak performance. KIWI board builds its products for high reliability, performance, security, scalability, and versatility. So, customers can expect a long lifespan, quickly adapt to evolving system requirements, and adopt future technologies as they emerge.

Next steps

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