The Future is Now: How Vision AI is Powering Unmanned Stores

 Remember the hype around RFID technology in the early 2000s, promising a ubiquitous computing era? It’s still around, powering transit cards and highway toll systems. Back then, there were ambitious plans to attach RFID chips to individual products in supermarkets for seamless, cashier-less checkout. Even Amazon Go experimented with it. However, high chip costs and unreliable recognition rates prevented widespread adoption.

Fast forward to 2022, and the landscape has dramatically shifted. The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all industries has paved the way for a more sophisticated solution in retail: Vision AI.

Beyond Barcodes: The Evolution of Object Recognition

For decades, various technologies have been used to identify objects:

• Magnetic stripes (think credit cards)

• CCTV (for surveillance)

• RFID (radio-frequency identification)

• Lidar (light detection and ranging)

• Radar (radio detection and ranging)

• Ultrasound (using sound waves)

• Infrared (IR)

• Barcodes

Each serves its specific purpose. However, none offered the comprehensive, real-time understanding of a dynamic environment that modern retail demands.

What is Vision AI?

Vision AI is a cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology that enables computers to "see," interpret, and analyze visual information from images and videos. Initially, it found its primary applications in fields like autonomous vehicles (helping cars understand their surroundings) and smart factories (for quality inspection based on shape measurement). But its capabilities are now rapidly expanding into various other sectors, with retail being a prime example.

The Unmanned Store Revolution: Powered by Vision AI

Imagine walking into a store, picking up what you need, and simply walking out – no scanning, no waiting in line, no cashiers. This is the promise of unmanned stores powered by Vision AI.

Here's how it works:

High-definition CCTV cameras continuously capture video footage of the store. This visual data is then fed into an advanced AI deep learning-based software. This software analyzes the video to obtain high-level 3D information about the store environment and customer actions.

Through continuous tracking and analysis of item movements, the system can accurately determine what a customer has picked up, how many items, and their corresponding prices. When the customer exits the store, the system automatically processes the final payment, providing a truly seamless shopping experience.

The accuracy of this Vision AI-based recognition system is remarkably high, boasting an impressive 99% recognition rate. This is comparable to, if not better than, the accuracy achieved by traditional barcode scanning and human cashiers.

Why Vision AI is a Game-Changer for Retail

• Enhanced Customer Experience: No more queues, faster shopping, and ultimate convenience.

• Reduced Operational Costs: Lower labor costs associated with cashiers and stock management.

• Improved Efficiency: Real-time inventory tracking and optimized store layouts.

• Data-Driven Insights: Valuable data on customer behavior and popular products.

The shift towards Vision AI in unmanned retail isn't just about cutting costs; it's about redefining the shopping experience, making it more efficient, convenient, and truly futuristic. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative applications transforming the retail landscape.

Embrace Spring with Ease: The Delicious World of Meal Kits & HMR

As the warmth of spring gently embraces us, our spirits begin to stir from the winter chill. Fresh wild greens like shepherd's purse and mugwort emerge from the mountains and fields, beckoning us outdoors to enjoy the pleasant weather. Whether it's a refreshing outing (逍風, literally "strolling in the wind") or just a quick visit to the neighborhood, a meal enjoyed outdoors always brings special joy.

😋 Beyond Convenience: A Culinary Experience with Meal Kits & HMR

In our bustling daily lives, it's often challenging to maintain both deliciousness and health. However, now, from large retail chains to dawn delivery services, you can easily find a wide array of "convenient meal solutions." In particular, Meal Kits and HMR (Home Meal Replacement), which have seen explosive growth in recent years, have completely transformed our dining landscape.

Meal Kits provide pre-portioned ingredients, seasonings, and recipes in one package, allowing even novice cooks to easily create impressive dishes. They offer the satisfaction of home-cooked meals while eliminating the hassle of ingredient preparation, making them a popular choice.

On the other hand, HMR refers to ready-to-eat foods like instant rice, instant soup, or pre-made side dishes that only require heating. They act as "meal saviors" for busy modern individuals, offering maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

🍽️ The Evolving World of Convenient Meal Solutions

Even the Korea Food Code (managed by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) reflects these changes. What was previously categorized as "fresh convenience foods" and "ready-to-eat foods" has been newly defined as a sub-category called "convenient meal sets" since 2023.

• Ready-to-Heat (RTH): Foods that can be eaten immediately after heating (e.g., instant rice, instant soup).

• Ready-to-Cook (RTC): Foods that require simple cooking processes with pre-portioned ingredients and seasonings (includes Meal Kits).

• Ready-to-Eat (RTE): Foods that are washed/pre-cut and can be consumed immediately or after minimal additional preparation (e.g., salad greens, pre-cut fruits).

While these categories are becoming more specialized based on cooking methods, we generally refer to all of them collectively as 'Meal Kits' or 'HMR.' Perhaps even the lunchboxes our mothers packed for us during our school days – with kimchi, braised black beans, sausages, and a fried egg on top – could be considered the "Meal Kits" of that era. A nostalgic taste, indeed!

📈 The Growth and Future of the Convenient Meal Market

The convenient meal market has experienced explosive growth, fueled by an increased focus on home cooking during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a surge in outdoor activities like camping and picnics. Not only major food brands but also numerous small and medium-sized food companies are enhancing their competitiveness by introducing high-quality convenient meals made with fresh vegetables and various pre-processed ingredients. Same-day delivery services from companies like Coupang and Market Kurly have further accelerated this trend.

Of course, these convenient foods require meticulous attention to freshness, hygiene, and shelf-life management. However, companies are continuously striving to provide safe and delicious products through advanced production processes and sophisticated cold chain systems.

Today, convenient meals are no longer just about "quickness." They have become an important part of our dining culture, offering ample nutrition and culinary delight to busy modern individuals. We eagerly anticipate what other innovative convenient meals will enrich our tables in the future!