Professional companies took the freedom to adapt CD-i hardware in their own applications, like this Oty07 wireless remote by Strolo Datentechnik

Do you remember the Oty07 wireless remote we showed you last year? One of these units surfaced thanks to CD-i member Marc Naninck. Let's recap what we found out so far. It is a custom built professional CD-i remote that was used by companies at exhibitions or professional areas like commercial areas, hospitals, or any kind of company interested to have a 'Point of Information' in their home. The first time I've seen it was at Frencken Mechatronics in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. It serves as a kiosk system, allowing customers to look up information of the company, like the services they offer or the products they are selling. We were told these customized applications were also used in exhibitions by Philips itself, to showcase the possibilities in the professional field. Strolo datentechnik itself was also present at these exhibitions, but further details lack at the moment.

The Oty07 CD-i remote was accompanied by the Oty09, which was a system including keyboard and monitor. The beauty behind this concept was that is is wireless and weather resistent. The purpose was to position the remote and keyboard outside a shopping/business window. The system itself was inside. In this way, customers could interact with the system even when the shop/company was closed. This version was working on 8 AA batteries to generate the power, as it was wireless.

The website ChannelPartner offers some more details about the Oty09: "The oty09 outdoor keyboard from Strolo datentechnik GmbH in Detmold is intended to attract interest of customers with its special design, colors and functions. The wireless membrane keyboard is attached to the outside of the shop window so that, for example, travel agencies, car dealers or real estate agents can communicate with people passing by even when the shop is closed. Interested parties can go through a picture / text database and, if they want to know more about a product, leave their address and telephone number in the electronic mailbox. This saves the call the next day. The system consists of the keyboard, a PC including external speakers and software. Leased or in the hire purchase concept, it costs 379 marks a month."