IBM iX has developed a breakthrough invention for 'instant checkout and connected store' that is set to revolutionize shopping.
The Universal Tag: Breaking the Barriers of RFID
The instant checkout capability uses brand new ‘universal tags’ that employ RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. Unlike RFID tags of the past, these are small, discreet and can work on any product type regardless of materials like metal or liquid.
By equipping shelves with ultra-discrete RFID antennas, it’s possible to know exactly what stock is in any store in real-time. This is accomplished without any costly changes to the existing shelving or infrastructure, or the need to install infrared cameras and sensors throughout the store.
Because customers use the app to pay, retailers are also provided with anonymized data to gain insight into what customers are buying and when. The platform also analyses IBM data about weather, local events, and trends, which means retailers get insights driven by Artificial Intelligence to be able to predict what stock they’ll need, thereby reducing waste and improving profitability for each store individually at a very local level.
