On Monday, the Jerónimo Martins group announced the opening of the new Comida Fresca restaurant at Pingo Doce in Alegro Sintra, marking the first in Portugal to feature AI-enabled self-checkout counters that automatically recognize items on a customer’s tray.
At this location, customers have access to “five self-checkout counters, equipped with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence developed by the startup Retail Robotics Solutions, which automatically identifies various items on the tray through image recognition,” stated Pingo Doce.
The company confirmed plans to expand this solution to other Comida Fresca restaurants.
“This Thursday, April 10, we will be reopening the Alverca store, which has undergone renovation, and the Comida Fresca restaurant will feature four checkout counters equipped with this AI solution,” a spokesperson noted.
The system employs an advanced technology that recognizes dishes similarly to human perception—identifying patterns in shape, color, and texture. With each transaction, its accuracy improves, ensuring a seamless, efficient, and reliable checkout experience, according to the retailer.
“We initiated this project about a year ago with the primary focus on enhancing the customer experience during the payment process in our restaurants. The implementation of AI makes it possible to introduce innovative solutions that enhance our in-store customer experience by reducing the time spent on recording and payment, leading to shorter waiting times,” said José Esteves, IT Director at Pingo Doce.
AI has “become one of the most influential global trends, and we are committed to providing Pingo Doce with the most advanced and innovative solutions, destined to play a fundamental role in a rapidly evolving context,” added Dimitri Rodin, CEO of Retail Robotics Solutions.
