Travellers at Stuggart Airport can now use AI-powered age verification technology to automatically purchase age-restricted good like alcohol.
The smart-vision solution from Diebold Nixdorf has been introduced by EDEKA Jaeger, part of Germany’s EDEKA Group and will be used at the self-service checkout in the airport’s 24/7 store
By adopting the Vynamic Smart Vision I Age Verification solution consumers can now purchase good without having to get approval from store attendants. This is expected to speed up transactions at self-service checkouts as well as giving employees more time for customer service and other responsibilities.
On average, age verification checks are needed in approximately 22% of all transactions in retail stores. This can have a significantly negative impact on throughput times and consumer flow in the self-service area, leading to longer waiting times.
How it works
As soon as an age-restricted item is scanned at the self-service checkout, the system asks the customer whether automatic age recognition is desired. Once consent has been given, the customer’s face characteristics are analysed using a camera installed on the system and sophisticated AI algorithms to verify their age in real time. If the age of the shopper is above a predefined threshold, the transaction can continue. The employees only need to check those customers who fall below this age limit or who have opted out of automatic age recognition.
Florian Jaeger, owner of the 24/7 store at Stuttgart Airport, said: “The creation of quick, simple purchasing processes for customers and my employees is key. This is what makes our store at Stuttgart Airport so attractive for busy travellers.”
In the first week, over 80% of age-restricted goods purchased at EDEKA Jaeger in Stuttgart Airport were automatically approved. The system is GDPR-compliant as the process does not involve facial recognition, nor does it store images or other customer information.
Matt Redwood, vice president, Retail Technology Solutions, at Diebold Nixdorf added: “AI technologies for automated age verification have enormous potential to reduce a typical friction point during the shopping process. We are delighted to be working with EDEKA Jaeger to ensure that customers can prove their age in seconds directly at the self-service checkout, allowing them to get to their next appointment or flight faster.”
