GenAI Interactive Seatback Games with Rewards

A back-seat tablet presents an GenAI interactive quiz (“How many Mentos did you count?”) as part of a Mentos-branded ad. Such gamified content captivates passengers, turning ads into enjoyable challenges. It exemplifies how an GenAI interactive screen can engage riders during an autonomous ride.

Summary

Install touchscreens in the vehicle (e.g. on seatbacks or console) that offer interactive games, quizzes, or polls sponsored by brands. Passengers play these short games during the ride for entertainment and can win prizes or discounts. The advertising message is woven into the game, making the ad experience fun rather than intrusive.

Core Functionality 

The in-car screen runs a rotating selection of GenAI brand-sponsored mini-games (trivia, puzzles, challenges, etc.). For example, a soda brand might offer a trivia quiz about pop culture with its branding, or a retailer might host a memory match game featuring its products. Throughout the game, video or banner ads appear between rounds, or the game content itself features the brand’s products/questions. The system can include features like:

• Daily Challenges & Giveaways: Passengers compete in daily trivia or contests. High scores or participation could enter them into a giveaway (e.g. gift cards). This drives repeat engagement for frequent riders.

• Interactive Polls/Surveys: Short polls about new products or preferences, with results shown in real-time. These not only engage the rider but also provide feedback to advertisers.

• Social or Competitive Elements: Passengers could see how they rank against other riders locally, encouraging them to engage more. In a multi-passenger ride, they might even play head-to-head.

Hardware/Software Requirements

• Touchscreen or Tablet installed in the vehicle (with a UI lockout to ensure safety in autonomous mode). Many rideshare vehicles already use tablet devices for entertainment.

• Internet Connectivity: For downloading new game content, updating ads, and reporting engagement data.

• Interactive Content Platform: Software to host HTML5 or app-based games, integrate ad slots (e.g. video plays between quiz questions), and track interactions. This platform would also handle reward points or prize distribution (possibly linked to the user’s rideshare account).

• Optional Cameras/Sensors: While not strictly required, an inward camera could detect if someone is actually looking at or touching the screen (to measure engagement), or whether multiple people are present (to maybe offer group play or adjust difficulty).

Monetization Model 

Advertisers pay to place interactive ads or branded games on the platform. This can be CPM/CPC (cost per impression or click) for video/banner ads shown during the game, or a sponsorship fee for branded game experiences. Because engagement is higher than passive ads, brands may pay a premium for a memorable interaction. The platform can also reward players (e.g. small cash prizes, points, coupons) — these rewards encourage participation and are funded by the ad revenue. In an autonomous vehicle scenario, this becomes a key income stream (potentially subsidizing ride fares).

Implementation Today

This concept is immediately deployable. In fact, companies like Play Octopus already equip Uber/Lyft cars with interactive tablets featuring games, trivia, and ads, leading to high passenger engagement. T-Mobile’s advertising unit (via Octopus Interactive) serves geo-targeted video ads to ~5 million monthly rideshare passengers through such games, with features like real-time trivia and prizes built in. An autonomous fleet could integrate similar tablets or built-in screens from the design stage. For example, a robo-taxi service could have a tablet that welcomes the rider with a “Pick a Game!” menu (trivia, puzzles, etc.), all sponsored by advertisers. Passengers in 2025 are familiar with touchscreens and casual gaming, so adoption would be natural. The system could be managed via a cloud platform that updates content between rides. As a case in point, a trial in a city could involve a local pizzeria sponsoring a “Pizza Toppings Puzzle” game — riders who play get a coupon code at the end. This not only entertains the rider but directly drives the sponsor’s sales. The technology (tablets, mobile data, game apps) is off-the-shelf; it’s more about integrating them seamlessly into the ride experience.