JD.com, one of the largest online retailers in China, and chipmaker Intel have launched a joint lab that will explore the use of Internet of Things in smart retail solutions.
The “Digitized Retail Joint Lab” will develop next-generation vending machines, media and advertising solutions, and technologies to be used in the stores of the future, based on Intel architecture.
The new lab marks the extension of the robust existing partnership between Intel and China’s largest retailer.
So far, scientists have successfully merged Intel’s RRI edge computing and OpenVino computer vision architecture with JD’s computer vision algorithms to analyze customer traffic and in-store purchasing habits, a solution that helps store owners to provide a more personalized and convenient experience to their customers.
Zhi Weng, VP of JD.com and head of JD Big Data Platform, says: “This lab will combine our collective strengths to develop cutting-edge solutions to bring the precision of online shopping to offline players.
“We look forward to expanding our cooperation with Intel to deliver a best-in-class, personalized shopping experience wherever consumers shop.”
Wei Chen, VP of Intel and general manager of Intel IOTG China, says: “As China’s most influential retailer and a leader in data-driven offline retail innovation, JD is an important partner for us to continue to develop a wide range of use cases for our latest technology developments.
“We are happy to take our partnership to the next level.”
The new lab adds to JD.com’s vision of “Retail as a Service”, or sharing its cutting edge technology and infrastructure with other retailers and industries to revolutionize global commerce.
Other efforts include a suite of technology upgrades for brick-and-mortar store owners, including smart shelving, smart price tags, checkout solutions, and more.
By helping smaller retailers modernize their operations, JD hopes to enable all consumers’ access to quality products, and to buy whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want it.
By leveraging JD’s big data analysis capabilities and Intel’s advanced edge computing technologies, the companies will build a more sophisticated retail ecosystem and enable the wider commercialization of new products and technologies as well as facilitate their introduction to global markets.
JD has already demonstrated its “Unmanned Convenience Store” in China, as shown in the pictures to illustrate this article. It also has another format called “D-Mart Smart Store Solution” for wholesalers.
The convenience stores are being tested with JD’s 10,000 employees at the company’s headquarters in Beijing.
JD has also agreed a partnership with Sinopec to integrate similar technology at the energy giant’s gas stations across China.
Song Ma, vice president of JD.com, says: “These two smart-store solutions will completely change what it means to go to take a trip to the store.
“From helping small stores owners streamline their supply chains and increase stocking efficiency, to speeding up check out, this is a massive jump beyond anything in use today.”
