Case Study

    Heineken® Experience

    Call up video highlights in world soccer matches by sending text messages to a video jukebox system.

    AI-Powered Multimodal Experience Systems

    Before ChatGPT, before modern AI became mainstream, Fountain City was already building intelligent systems for major manufacturing companies. Back in 2005 Heineken dreamt of a system where people could send text messages with requests like ‘show me Ronaldinho’s best goal’ and have the exact video clip appear on projection screens at events across Europe.

    To make this dream come true, we needed to build and AI that could interpret natural language intent, and connect it to specific video content; essentially creating an intelligent video jukebox controlled through text messages. 

    After the initial system proved successful for their touring events, Heineken brought us back to adapt the technology into a permanent interactive installation for the Amsterdam Heineken Experience Museum

    The Project: Interactive AI Video Jukebox System

    Phase 1: Mobile Text-to-Video System

    Fountain City collaborated with Bwirelezz / Openlot to create an interactive video jukebox system that used natural language interpretation to queue up soccer video moments from text message requests.

    How it worked

    • Users sent text messages to a dedicated number
    • Our AI system interpreted the natural language in real-time
    • The system matched requests to specific soccer moments using metadata and synonym tables
    • Relevant video clips played on large projector screens
    • A queue system showed users wait times for their requested clips

    Technical Innovation:

    • Natural language processing for intent determination
    • Word-by-word text analysis with synonym matching
    • Metadata-driven video retrieval system
    • Real-time queue management and display

    Phase 2: Museum Installation Evolution

    The success of the mobile system led to a permanent installation at the Amsterdam Heineken Experience Museum.

    The Adapted System

    • Replaced mobile texting with touch-screen interface
    • Implemented predictive typing and autocomplete functionality
    • Streamlined to three key parameters: player, team, and year
    • Optimized keyboard interface by predictively disabling keys for non-matching terms
    • Enabled immediate playback of curated historical moments

    Main Features:

    • Natural language processing for intent determination
    • Word-by-word text analysis with synonym matching
    • Metadata-driven video retrieval system
    • Real-time queue management and display

    Our Process: Systematic AI Implementation

    Technical Architecture

    1. System Design: Detailed UML architecture for scalable implementation
    2. Structured Development: Code built using proven design patterns
    3. Content Preparation: Meta-tagged hundreds of videos with team, player, date, and location data
    4. AI Processing: Natural language breakdown with synonym table matching
    5. User Experience: Queue display system for transparent wait time communication

    Rapid Delivery Approach

    • 6-week turnaround from concept to deployment
    • Collaborative development with specialized partners
    • Iterative testing and refinement based on user feedback
    • Seamless transition from touring system to permanent installation

    Results & Business Impact

    Measurable Outcomes

    • Successfully utilized to impress and garner business with new smaller breweries across Europe
    • Positive feedback and response from the public at the Amsterdam Heineken Experience Museum
    • Rapid 6-week delivery meeting aggressive timeline requirements
    • Permanent museum installation demonstrating long-term value and reliability

    Lessons Learned

    Looking back, this Heineken project shaped how we approach AI implementations today. Working with a global manufacturing leader under tight deadlines taught us that the most innovative technology means nothing if people can’t actually use it in real-world environments.

    The project required us to connect multiple technologies seamlessly—from SMS systems to video databases to projection equipment—while ensuring the user experience remained intuitive. Whether someone was texting “Ronaldinho goal” or “Brazil vs Germany,” the system had to understand intent and deliver the right content instantly. This focus on bridging human communication with automated systems became foundational to how we think about AI today.

    Results

    • Successfully utilized to impress and garner business
    • Positive feedback and response from the public
    • Rapid 6-week delivery
    • Permanent museum installation

    Get The Results You Need

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