AI powers automated retail machine's interactivity

Artificial intelligence is making big strides in self-service retailing. That much was evident at the recent CES show in Las Vegas, which showcased numerous applications to enable brands to stay relevant as e-commerce continues to grab more of the retail market. One of the most impressive exhibits using AI was a glassfront merchandiser called Vicki, from ViaTouch Media, that lets shoppers take products from a shelf and examine them before making a purchase. When the product is removed from the shelf, a video screen above the door plays content related to that particular product. The customer also can ask questions and get answers about products in the machine from Vicki, thanks to the machine's audio technology.