X5 Retail Group tested technologies of video analytics and computer vision

On June 6, 2018 X5 announced the conducting testing of technology of video analytics and computer vision working at a basis of neural networks and artificial intelligence. "Eye of Omniscience" in tens of times accelerates control of plano-grams, reduces by 10% the number of the people leaving shop without purchases and for 20% — losses of shops. These improvements positively influence a goods turnover, especially if work in real time.

Using different technologies the correctness of the calculation and goods quantity on the shelf was controlled, the number of people in queues was traced, the most visited departments in shops were defined and also persons of buyers, a sex, age and mood of buyers were distinguished. As a result of X5 selected the most profitable methods of application of video analytics: control of existence and correctness of the calculation of goods on shelves, assessment of number of people in queues and prevention of thefts in shops.

In particular, the technology of the resident of an IT cluster Skolkovo of Intelligence Retail showed accuracy at the level of 93.7% in recognition of goods on shelves. This development was tested in five supermarkets "Perekrestok" of the Moscow region. In case of the shortage of products employees received a signal of need to add goods. During the pilot the technology learned to distinguish about 1500 goods. The similar technology was tested in retail chain stores Pyaterochka. Sales of goods which participated in testing grew that showed how video and photocontrol of the calculation is effective.

Except this video analyst helped to improve service quality at the checkout. Karusel hypermarkets already started implementation, and 20 Moscow supermarkets "Perekrestok" continue to test the technology defining the number of buyers in queue. When it fixes that more than five people stand in a queue, to the management of shop the notification on need to open additional cash desk arrives.

Also X5 tested the developments defining the most visited zones in shop, emotion, gender and age of buyers and also several developments which helped to reduce twice the number of thefts in shops.

In 2018 X5 will expand testing of some technologies for tens of shops, having integrated computer vision into real business processes and IT systems.