AI innovation speeds up self-service checkouts

A groundbreaking artificial intelligence system is undergoing trials at self-service checkouts, aiming to significantly streamline the shopping experience. Developed by "StrongPoint," the technology is designed to accelerate purchases, minimize identification errors for weighed items, and reduce the workload for store employees.

Previously, customers buying loose produce often spent time manually searching for the correct item on lengthy self-service lists. The new system, powered by "Retellect" AI, simplifies this process. A camera captures the product placed on the scale, and the AI suggests the most likely options, saving customers an average of 10 seconds per item. This can potentially cut down overall shopping time by several minutes.

"Even a few saved seconds are important at self-service. Our goal is to ensure customers don't waste time searching for the right product among similar options. The system suggests the most probable choices, but the customer always makes the final selection," said Andrius Kalašinskas, a representative from StrongPoint.

Currently, the AI recognizes the most frequently purchased weighed products with over 97% accuracy. It is continuously learning and refining its recognition abilities, becoming more precise over time. Challenges include distinguishing between similar items, like different apple varieties, and recognizing products through packaging. Testing in real retail environments is crucial for the system's development.

"Rimi Lietuva" General Director Vaidas Lukoševičius noted that the new technologies primarily benefit customers by simplifying their shopping, but also help organize employee work more efficiently. "We see that customers value speed and simplicity, so we are constantly testing solutions that can help them shop more conveniently and faster. Assisting employees so they can perform fewer routine tasks and have more time for consultations is also one of the biggest advantages of this innovation," he stated. The technology is initially focused on fruits and vegetables, with plans to expand recognition to items like pastries.