Purpose
The purpose of this article is to provide general guidelines for best practices with product recognition and storage in automated vending environments. Please see the attached .pdf for a overall summary.
Overview
Enabled by its automatic product recognition capabilities, computer vision (CV) technology provides consumers the most frictionless unattended retail shopping experience available on the market today. The more confident the automation is in recognizing the product being chosen, the faster and more accurate the transaction.
To let technology lead the way, this best practice guide recommends the packaging characteristics that help products stand out on the shelves of PicoCooler Vision and Stockwell. Recommendations are divided into three main categories: beverages, prepackaged snacks/sundries, and unsupported products.
| Beverages | |
| Height | Reasoning |
| > 4 inches | Ensures products are visible |
| Prepackaged Snacks/Sundries | |
| Height or Width | Reasoning |
| > 4 inches | Ensures products are visible |
| Unsupported Products/Misc. | |
| Product description | Reasoning |
| Fresh foods | Labeling with indistinguishable characteristics |
- The vast majority of products in the beverage and prepackaged snacks/sundries category that
would be targeted for sale in our high capacity, grab & go solutions align well with these
specifications. The guidelines are meant to ensure consumers cannot easily conceal products
smaller than the palm of their hand from the computer vision cameras. - Keep high-traffic, public and semi-public locations confident in the transaction by leaning on these
recommendations for merchandising 365 smart coolers and cabinets. For additional information
please contact your 365 sales representative or support.
See What’s Best for Computer Vision Success
Need a visual reference for what products are “ok” and “not ok” for merchandising your
shelves? Below we share examples of what is best stock inside PicoCooler Vision and
Stockwell smart solutions.
| Beverages | |
| Recommended | Not Recommended |
| >4 inches in height | <4 inches in height |
| Prepackaged Snacks | |
| Recommended | Not Recommended |
| >4 inches in height/length | <4 inches in height/length |
| Sundries | |
| Recommended | Not Recommended |
| >4 inches un height/length | <4 inches in height/length |
| Fresh Food | |
| Recommended | Not Recommended |
| N/A | Products prepared and packaged on site |