Fujitsu and Zippin Partner to Create Checkout-Free Shops Using Biometrics
15-12-2020 | By Robin Mitchell
Recently, Fujitsu and Zippin announced their partnership to create a checkout-free solution for shops that utilise personalised biometrics for customers. How has payment methods changed throughout time, what are checkout-free systems, and is the Zippin system the first of its kind?
Payment Methods Throughout History
Before the concept of money, goods and services were worked based on a simple equivalency; one hour of work could be equivalent to 1 pound of meat or 3 pounds of vegetables, i.e. a trade. However, trade can present issues at times, and so it didn’t take long for human society to develop the concept of money. Interesting, if the concept of transactions and trace is broken down right to its core, it turns out that the only thing money can buy is someone else time.
Fast forward to the introduction of modern electronics, and there are many ways in which transactions can be done. The introduction of the debit card with the magnetic strip allowed for rapid payments with the use of a single swipe. In contrast, the introduction of the chip and pin allowed for debit cards to provide a layer of protection when trying to be used. Now, modern cryptocurrencies create systems whereby every transaction is recorded, and contactless payment with cards allow for card payments to be made without making contact thanks to the wonderful world of NFC.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a mass desire for the general public to minimise contact with one another, and thus new payment solutions are being explored. One method that has come to particular attention is the concept of a checkout-free system.
How do checkout-free systems work?
Checkout-free shops are far and few between, but they allow customers to enter a store, pick the items they like, and simply walk out the store. Depending on the technology used, each user is mapped to a unique account, and that account is then debited of the items that were taken by the customer.
Some technologies may deploy special scanning systems whereby a user scans a bar-code or QR code that indicates the item they have taken. In contrast, others may utilise biometrics to autodetect each customer as they walk into the store. From there, any items that they place into their basket is automatically detected and thus added to their virtual cart.
It should be noted that the use of “scan as you shop” doesn’t entirely count as checkout-free shops as they still have an end self-service checkout.
Fujitsu and Zippin partner to make checkout-free systems a reality
Realising the benefits of checkout-free shops, Fujitsu and Zippin have partnered together to develop a whole line of checkout-free shops. Zippin is a company that already produces a checkout-free software service which allows purchasers to walk into a shop, take items they want, and then walk out.
The system developed by Zippin takes advantage of overhead cameras and sensors that can track the movement of both customers and stock. Fujitsu will be adding to the Zipping solution by introducing biometric technologies to allow the identification of each customer as well as providing personalised retail services. Once ready, Fujitsu will become Zippin’s first distribution partner for checkout-free shopping services, and if the initial release goes to plan, the partnership will look towards worldwide deployment.
Is this the first checkout-free shopping system?
The concept of a checkout-free shopping system has been around for a while, with Amazon demonstrating one of the first checkout-free shopping systems back in 2018. The Amazon system utilises cameras and biometrics to identify each customer, and then subtract the needed amount from their Amazon account. To prevent unauthorised visitors to the store, the Amazon Go system uses a gated turnstile, and users must register before entering.
While checkout-free systems are still yet to be implemented in mass, the effects of COVID-19 will help drive a market whereby people want to minimise contact as well as increase convenience. However, those systems must be careful not to accidentally charge customers should they pick an item up and then place it back, or worse place those items back in the wrong location.
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