Walmart tests AI surveillance systems to prevent theft
The US chain of stores seeks to reduce theft in shelves with the implementation of surveillance systems based on artificial intelligence
The Walmart department stores chain wants to increase the level of security in its franchises and to achieve this, it is oriented towards what technology offers through artificial intelligence applied in surveillance systems.
Missed Scan Detection is the name by which the US retail chain has called artificial vision technology that allows you to monitor the cashiers of more than 1,000 stores. “Our digital eye has perfect vision and never needs a break for coffee or a day off” is the message of a video from Everseen, one of the providers of Walmart surveillance technology.
The main objective of the company is to avoid what they call the “shrinkage”, which is nothing more than the decrease in merchandise on the shelves due to theft, fraud or errors when scanning barcodes. These are the causes of disparity between the contents of the inventory books and the actual amount in an establishment.
The effectiveness of surveillance cameras has dropped to worrying levels. In 2017, US retailers anchored to this security system lost an estimated 1.33% of their income for the reasons mentioned above. In the case of Walmart, this percentage would represent 4,000 million dollars in losses per year.
Traditional cameras track and analyze cashiers managed by employees and self-service to detect possible failures. However, the systems that integrate anti-theft AI and that Walmart is already using monitor products not people.
The system detects when a product or merchandise is moved from the shelf and placed in a bag before being scanned in the box. Immediately notify an employee of the premises who must take the respective measures.
Over the past three years, Walmart has invested more than $ 500 million in its fight to prevent, reduce and deter crimes in its premises and parking lots. “We are continually investing in human and technological resources to keep our stores safe,” said LeMia Jenkins, spokesman for the company. The tests with Missed Scan Detection have been carried out successfully for two years.
M.Pino
Source: Xataka
