This week, at CES, we’re showing you a World of 3D Sensing. We want to show you how 3D sensing technology is driving innovation in all sorts of markets and everyday experiences you might not think even is possible. Yesterday we told you about a handful of the demonstrations you can see in our suite at CES, happening now. Today, we’d like to share with you what we’re showing in the retail space. You can see these yourself, come see us in the Renaissance Hotel, Capital Room Suite, 2nd floor.

The adoption of technology is a bit mysterious. More than 10 years ago, we lumbered over to the internet and warily began shopping online. Then we dove into our mobiles and our heads haven’t come up since. We all left the physical world and went digital.But, last we checked, us humans still live in the physical world.  And, in the gold rush of digital, retailers got left behind, until now.

3D Sensors are making their way into just about every marketplace out there.  We have seen them the most in gaming, interactive living rooms, robotics and even in the automotive industry, but now, believe it or not, the world of retail finds itself in the middle of a transformation and sensors are paving the way.
Shoppers are wandering around malls and retail spaces and the battle for retail is conversion - to turn that lookie loo into a shopper that buys something. To compete with online shopping, traditional brick and mortar stores have to offer customers the same shopping experience they have come to expect online, which is characterized by interactivity, personalization and engagement. This is happening 3D sensor solutions.

Don’t believe us? Let’s look at CoVii and Shopperception – they will be in our special World of Sensing suite today through Friday at CES to show you the future of sensors and retail.

Computer Vision Interaction (CoVii ) is a start up that’s seriously focused on human-machine interaction through computer vision software. Their Almost Touch Digital Signage uses the PrimeSense sensor to turn any screen into a touch or almost touch screen using the 3rd dimension to follow the touch of the user’s finger. Almost Touch can be used in retail settings, as well as airports, malls and more. Imagine coming into a huge mall and just wave your hand over the directory listing of stores!

One part of helping retail stay competitive is actually knowing where to put your merchandise or displays to get a shopper to buy something. What if you could understand what displays work or  understand a shopper’s behavior and tailor in store experiences for him? 3D sensors can give this insight. Shopperception wants to give retailers a better understanding of customer behavior. They use our sensors on a shelf to analyze shopper behaviors and see what consumers buy.

By placing 3D sensors throughout the store, retailers can learn which department attracted the most customers, items and shelves viewed, and what percentage of customers who looked at a specific shelf actually purchased products. This would enable the store to know what departments need to be reorganized, what shelves are not appealing and even why one store is more successful than another. With 3D sensing technology, it’s all fully automated, available 24 x 7, and non-intrusive to shoppers.

At CES, visitors can see first-hand how Shopperception and CoVii are changing the game for keeping retailers in the green.