How Woolworths’ new robots identify produce without barcodes automatically using AI technology

Woolworths shoppers trying to fool the self-serve checkout will have a hard time executing the same stunt due to new AI technology.

A hi-tech robot device rolled out across Woolworths stores this year has a nifty way of making it virtually impossible for customers to give themselves a “five finger discount”.

Shoppers with tendencies to “accidentally” scan a lemon instead of an avocado are no match for the new smart scales, which were launched recently as part of the supermarket’s Scan&Go program.

The scales, developed by Tiliter Retail, automatically weigh and identify products without barcodes, and have so far been rolled out in 36 stores across the country.

The Artificially Intelligent hypersensitive cameras are so accurate that 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 on the screen the piece of produce it predicts it to be.

There is a special way these smart scales deter people from giving themselves ‘five finger discounts’. Picture: Woolworths

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.

Each item is added to the shopper’s virtual cart after they scan a barcode presented on the screen using the Scan&Go function on the Woolworths app.

Other products from outside of the produce section can also be added by the customer scanning the item’s existing barcode.

Once the customer’s items have all been scanned, they can pay for their groceries on their phone without any intervention from staff.

Woolworths stores that support the Scan&Go system have a special exit for customer’s using the program which requires them to scan a QR code at the exit before leaving through a gate.

The Scan&Go system exists alongside self-serve and staffed check-outs, and allows shoppers to process their payment in similar way they would if they were ordering online.

Smart scales use AI technology to predict what item is on the scale. Picture: Woolworths

Stores that support Scan&Go will typically have three sets of scales, Woolworths said.

“At Woolworths, we’re always looking for new ways to make it easier to shop for your everyday needs,” Woolworths in-store head of digital Ben Garvan told news.com.au.

“We know many of our customers are short on time, and the speed and convenience of Scan&Go has been popular with many shoppers across Australia for this reason.

“In addition to the time saving, Scan&Go allows customers to closely track their spend as they shop, which is helpful for budgeting.”

A Woolies shopper discovered one of the machines inside a Brisbane store last month, and shared their find in a TikTok video which later went viral.