Google Cloud Introduces Shelf Inventory AI Tool for Retailers
An image database of more than a billion products helps power the tool.
Google Cloud has developed an AI tool to help big-box retailers better track their inventory. The algorithm can recognize and analyze the availability of consumer packaged goods products on shelves from videos and images provided by the retailer’s cameras, camera-equipped self-driving robots, or store associates. The tool will be available for use in the coming months.
Lack of accurate and timely information about shelf inventory is a significant problem for retailers, making it difficult to manage. Retailers often have to make guesses, leading to lost sales opportunities and slower replenishment of out-of-stock items. Having accurate information would greatly simplify the process for retailers.
The idea of computer vision-enabled shelf-checking technology has been around for several years but has not yet taken off. The cost and complexity of large-scale camera deployment and a lack of access to comprehensive, organized and labelled data on all product offerings have been significant deterrents for retailers. Google Cloud’s product is trained on a database of over a billion spin-offs, including images that are publicly available, licensed, and provided directly by manufacturers. The algorithm has shown above 90% accuracy during early tests. However, challenges still need to be addressed before they can be deployed at scale.
The article is “Google Cloud Introduces Shelf Inventory AI Tool for Retailers.“