Sainsbury’s has revealed an innovative trial to tackle shoplifting.
The British supermarket has started to use AI to stop people from stealing alcohol.
Freedom Case, produced by Indyme, is a locked self-service cabinet enclosing high-priced spirits.
Customers looking to purchase them will need to complete a four-screen touchscreen process to open the shelf.
‘Once open, Freedom case monitors shopping behaviours such as units removed, frequency of access, and door open duration’
Indyme
The security cabinets can track activity, for example how long the door has been opened and if anything inside has been moved.
An ‘Active Deterrence’ system can be triggered if the tech notices activity that seems suspicious.
Sainsbury’s has rolled this out in a few stores, including one in St Albans.
Hertfordshire Police told MailOnline: “We work closely with shops and businesses across the St Albans district and we welcome all measures to help combat shoplifting.”
As for how it works, the creators behind Indyme said: “To access locked merchandise, your customers can use their cell phone number, a retailer’s App, a loyalty card, or even their face to open the case. Or they can request assistance from a store associate.
“Once open, Freedom case monitors shopping behaviours such as units removed, frequency of access, and door open duration.
“If suspicious behaviour is detected, Freedom Case locally alarms and optionally notifies store personnel.
“By uniquely identifying each user, and logging their behaviour over time, Freedom Case enables your honest shoppers while disabling would-be offenders.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “The version we are trialling does not require any customer information, data, or loyalty card’
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A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “The version we are trialling does not require any customer information, data, or loyalty card.”
Indyme’s official website reads: “Indyme developed specialized Artificial Intelligence technology to monitor behaviours when accessing Freedom Case.
“Employing sensor fusion, Freedom Case combines this AI with other built-in sensors to identify suspicious behaviours in real time.
“Once suspicious behaviours are detected, Freedom Case instantly deploys Active Deterrence through its built-in speaker and touchscreen.
“Store associates can also be notified of suspicious activity. And because shrink has many sources, stocking occasions are monitored as well to protect against internal theft.
“Retailers can access detailed data, photos and video of suspicious shopper and stocking events.”
GB News has contacted Sainsbury’s for comment
