Bondi IGA launches artificially intelligent checkout system

Shoppers won’t even need to scan their produce on their next visit to the Bondi IGA, where artificially intelligent cameras have been installed.

A trendy Sydney supermarket has adopted new checkout technology which negates the need for shoppers to scan produce before checking out.

IGA supermarket The Fresh Pantry, in the city’s eastern suburb of Bondi, recently installed AI (artificial intelligence) check-outs equipped with computer vision image analysis technology.

The hi-tech feature means fresh items can be automatically recognised by built-in cameras, removing the need for items to be manually scanned or looked up.

“The solution automatically identifies fresh produce in real-time, without the need for long lookup menus,” Tiliter, which developed the technology, said.

“Adding our computer vision technology image analysis to the point of sale removes the burden of manual price lookup entry for Fresh Pantry’s cashiers.”

Bondi's IGA, The Fresh Pantry, has installed AI check-outs. Picture: Google Maps

The AI technology was also expected to allow shoppers a more streamlined experience, and make it more hygienic, given they would not need to touch the screen as much.

“We’re seeing that self-serve check-outs equipped with our item identification technology are delivering a positive, speedy and convenient experience,” Tiliter CEO Marcel Herz said.

“They offer the simplicity that consumers are looking for when they’re scanning fresh produce.”

The company was confident using the technology would help the retailer reduce shrinkage and fraud, and provide it crucial transaction data.

Cameras were so accurate they can detect the difference not only between different varieties of the same vegetables, like capsicums, but also distinguish between organic and non-organic produce.

The scales work by recognising an item, which takes less than 200 milliseconds, then presenting the presumed item on the screen for the customer to approve or deny.

The smart scales recognise produce with AI cameras. Picture: Supplied

Customers have the ability to manually change items selected by the scales, but the device could alert staff members if the AI algorithm is confident of its prediction.

The scales can also identify non-produce items like wallets, phones, photos, and barcoded items. Other products from outside of the produce section can also be added by the customer scanning the item’s existing barcode.

The technology was developed by Tiliter and integrated into GaP Solutions’ point of sale software.

A similar system is already in place in a range of Woolworths stores, where smart sales have been integrated into the retailer’s Scan & Go program.