With Toshiba Tec’s supermarket scanner, it would only be a matter of time before we say buh-bye to barcodes. Toshiba Tec’s newly developed Object Recognition Scanner recognizes the object itself by identifying it via a camera.
This is great since fruits and vegetables don’t usually have barcodes since they’re put out while they’re fresh. When the produce is scanned through a camera, it does away with the hassle of inputting codes at the counter.
Advanced Pattern Recognition Technology
The scanner uses a pattern recognition technology developed by Toshiba. The camera recognizes the merchandise and reduces the background to noise by darkening it. This advanced technology allows the scanner to differentiate between various objects based on their unique patterns and colors. By eliminating the background, the scanner recognizes objects pretty fast. This may relieve us shoppers with those long pestering counter lines.
In a test, the scanner recognized three different kinds of apples (Fuji, Jonagold, and Mutsu), which might look the same to any consumer, through color and pattern differences. This level of precision is crucial in ensuring that customers are charged correctly for their purchases. Aside from fruits, the scanner can also recognize beer cans and coupons. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for supermarkets, where a wide variety of products need to be scanned quickly and accurately.
Benefits Beyond Speed
The benefits of Toshiba Tec’s Object Recognition Scanner extend beyond just speed and convenience. For instance, the technology can help reduce human error at the checkout counter. Traditional barcode systems rely on the cashier to scan the correct barcode, which can sometimes lead to mistakes. With object recognition, the chances of such errors are significantly reduced.
Moreover, this technology can be particularly beneficial for items that are sold by weight. For example, different types of apples may have different prices per kilogram. The scanner’s ability to distinguish between different varieties ensures that customers are charged the correct price. This can also help supermarkets manage their inventory more effectively, as they can track the sales of specific varieties of produce.
To increase productivity, the scanner will be fed a database so it doesn’t have to learn all the products on its own. This database will be continually updated with new products, ensuring that the scanner remains accurate and up-to-date. This feature is particularly important for supermarkets that frequently introduce new products or seasonal items.
Another significant advantage is the potential for enhanced customer experience. Faster checkout times mean less waiting in line, which can improve overall customer satisfaction. Additionally, the technology can be integrated with self-checkout systems, allowing customers to scan their items quickly and easily without the need for cashier assistance.
In conclusion, Toshiba Tec’s Object Recognition Scanner represents a significant advancement in retail technology. By eliminating the need for barcodes and utilizing advanced pattern recognition, this scanner offers numerous benefits, including increased speed, reduced human error, and improved customer experience. As this technology continues to evolve, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we shop, making the checkout process faster, more accurate, and more convenient.
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