We understand that online shopping has transformed and is dominating the retail industry. This doesn’t mean brick-and-mortar stores are going away. Some customers prefer visiting physical stores where they don’t have to pay for shipping and they can have a more human-focused shopping experience. For example, within fashion retail Amazon is working on a “blended-reality” smart mirror which will allow the customer to visually see what they would look like in different outfits through the use of augmented and virtual reality. “The imaged mirror works by scanning the environment to generate a virtual model, and then identifies the face and eyes of the user to determine which objects are to be seen as a reflection. Once this process is completed, the virtual clothes and scene are transmitted through the mirror to create the blended-reality result.”
Real-time inventory visibility can provide retailers with the ability to receive critical information immediately. Through the use of cameras and machine learning, images and videos can be turned into actionable data. Tyson is in the process of implementing a computer vision enabled inventory tracking system at their facilities where they pack chicken being prepared for supermarkets. Lee Slezak, vice president of IT architecture, emerging technologies and analytics said, “We’re trying to apply the most cutting-edge technology in order to derive new insights and enable new ways to work. The technology will allow Tyson to better control its inventory and manage the freshness of its chicken.” “The computer vision system is able to identify a package of chicken and an automated scale records the weight. The accuracy rate for identifying the product type and SKU number is in the high-90% range, using computer vision, an estimated 20% improvement over manual processes, said Mr. Slezak.”
N³ Innovation has engaged with a client to assist in piloting computer vision technology to improve order accuracy. The pilot is evaluating if a computer vision system can accurately register items that are being placed in to boxes and then associate a box with a specific order which is tracked as the box moves through the process. If successfully implemented, the computer vision system will reduce complexity for the employee by increasing operational efficiency and improve order accuracy which will ultimately deliver a better experience for the customer.
Computer vision is transforming the customer experience through enabling innovative experiences and enhanced business operations that is creating more personalized shopping experiences.