E-Mart 24′s automated smart store is shown in this photo provided by the convenience store franchise.
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — A fully automated smart store opened in Seoul on Wednesday.
South Korean convenience store franchise E-Mart 24, jointly with Shinsegae I&C, set up a smart store in shopping complex Starfield COEX, located in a heavily populated area unlike other stores with automatic payment systems.
Customers can type in a cellphone number at the kiosk and insert a credit or debit card to receive a QR code. Scanning the QR code at the entrance allows them to enter.
Customer movements inside the store are tracked by six LiDAR cameras. While they use highly accurate lasers to detect customers in 3D, they do not go so far as to check their identities.
Display stands come with weight sensors to detect how many products the customers have taken.
Instant payment is made as soon as the customer leaves the store based on the collection of data from the cameras, weight sensors and the kiosk.
“Cards that have been reported as stolen will be blocked from being registered at the kiosk,” Shinsegae I&C said.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
