While most stores in Shenzhen offer customers online payment options via QR codes, a new store in Nanshan District launched a facial recognition payment option Tuesday, sznews.com reported.
Zhouheiya, the well-known chain deli selling marinated duck snacks, joined Tencent to open the new store in Nanshan on Tuesday.
The store is equipped with some of the latest cutting-edge technologies, such as a facial recognition system, artificial intelligence (AI) and so forth.
New customers will need to use WeChat to scan a QR code to register for a membership with the store and upload a profile picture to the facial recognition system on their first visit to the deli. Once registered, the facial recognition payment service will be activated and available to use.
To pay for food, customers only need to make a “thumbs-up” gesture to the camera and if they have allowed password-less payment in advance the system will automatically remove money from their WeChat wallet.
Based on AI deep learning and visualizing technologies, the camera can also recognize the category, weight and price of the deli food. All customers need to do is put the food they want on the counter and the price will instantly show up on the screen.
According to Lei Maofeng, industry director of WeChat Payment, the smart store has incorporated six of WeChat’s digital technologies, namely facial recognition payment, the facial recognition system, product recognition, Mini Program, the membership system and social media advertising data.
Hao Lixiao, CEO of Zhouheiya, said it is the food company’s first smart store. With the upgraded retail mode, Hao thinks that customers will enjoy better service at the store.
The WeChat Payment team revealed that they will join hands with other industries, like fashion and fast-consumption, in the near future.