Pingo Doce has announced the opening of its first restaurant in Portugal equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) payment technology. This advanced system automatically recognizes items placed on a tray. The innovative service is being launched at the Comida Fresca restaurant located in Pingo Doce at Alegro Sintra.
In this new location, customers have access to five self-checkout stations featuring state-of-the-art AI developed by the start-up Retail Robotics Solutions, capable of automatically identifying various items on the tray through image recognition, according to a statement.
The system employs advanced technology to recognize dishes similar to human perception by identifying patterns of shape, color, and texture.
Furthermore, “with each request, its accuracy improves, ensuring a flawless, efficient, and reliable checkout experience.”
José Esteves, IT Director at Pingo Doce, highlighted that personalized service at Comida Fresca restaurants remains crucial and distinctive, yet believes technology can play a significant role. “We initiated this project approximately a year ago with the primary focus on enhancing the customer experience during the payment process in our restaurants. AI usage enables the implementation of innovative solutions, improving in-store customer experiences, which, in this instance, results in reduced time spent on registration and payment, thereby decreasing wait times,” he stated in the same announcement.
