How embedded vision is contributing to the smart retail revolution

One such game-changing advancement is embedded vision, which is revolutionising the way retailers operate and interact with their customers. By integrating computer vision capabilities into everyday devices and systems, such as cameras, sensors, and displays, embedded vision is reshaping the future of retail.

Here, Mr Maharajan Veerabahu, Co-Founder at E-Con Systems, discusses embedded smart vision and the retail revolution.

Smart shelves, powered by embedded vision, are a prime example of this transformation. These shelves can automatically monitor inventory levels and analyse product performance, allowing retailers to optimise shelf space and reduce out-of-stock situations.

With real-time inventory tracking, retailers can ensure that shelves are always well-stocked, minimising wait times and increasing product availability. This not only boosts operational efficiency but also elevates the overall customer experience, leading to increased sales and customer loyalty.

Embedded vision is also enhancing customer engagement in retail environments, providing personalised experiences that resonate with today's discerning shoppers. Similarly, embedded vision in digital signage enables targeted and effective marketing campaigns by delivering personalised advertisements and promotions based on customer demographics, behaviour, and preferences. For instance, smart trolleys and smart checkout systems have been redefining customer experience in retail stores in recent years by automating the checkout process. In a smart trolley system, the camera is seamlessly integrated and equipped with the right set of features to automatically detect and recognise objects in a shopping trolley. In comparison, a smart checkout system can automatically identify objects at the checkout counter without any human supervision whatsoever.

How embedded vision brings accuracy, speed, and convenience to smart trolley and smart checkout systems

Embedded vision is a crucial part of cashier-less store formats – leveraging facial recognition cameras, shelf sensors, and scanners for barcodes, QR codes, and RFID tags.

These functions speed up store operations and reduce and, sometimes, eliminate dependencies on the human workforce. In the case of smart trolleys and smart checkout systems, cameras share the image and video feed into the AI-based checkout system, expediting scanning and payment.

The embedded vision cameras and sensors are extremely important because they enable customer and product tracking – thereby reducing the scope for manual errors. So, even when customers misplace items while shopping, these can be identified.

In addition to these benefits, embedded vision is also a game-changer for data analytics in the retail industry. With its ability to collect and analyse vast amounts of visual data, such as customer footfall, dwell time, and product interactions, embedded vision provides valuable insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and trends. Retailers can leverage this data to make informed decisions, optimise store layouts, product placements, and marketing strategies, ultimately driving business growth.

As embedded vision continues to advance, its applications in the retail industry are expected to become even more widespread. Retailers who harness the power of embedded vision gain a competitive edge by improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and unlocking valuable insights from data analytics. Embedded vision is a game-changer that is shaping the future of smart retail, ushering in a new era of seamless, efficient, and personalised shopping experiences for customers worldwide.

Embedded vision is revolutionising the retail industry, driving the smart retail revolution. Its ability to capture and process visual information is transforming the way retailers operate, enabling them to optimise operations, enhance customer experiences, and gain valuable insights from data analytics.

As technology continues to evolve, embedded vision is poised to shape the future of retail, empowering retailers to stay ahead in the dynamic and competitive retail landscape. Embracing embedded vision is not just a trend but a strategic imperative for retailers who aspire to thrive in the ever-evolving retail industry.