As digitalisation progresses, REWE Group is making extensive use of AI technologies. One of these applications is EAGLE EYE, an AI-based system that supports checkout processes at PENNY. The aim is to reduce the workload of employees in the stores and make processes more efficient.
A key component of the EAGLE EYE system is the innovative KWS application, which was specially developed to recognise checkout queues. As soon as more than five customers queue at a checkout, the system informs the staff so that they can react efficiently to the situation. The final decision on how to proceed remains in the hands of the respective employees. The system does not monitor their performance, emphasises Alexander Kelleter, Project Manager Digitalisation, Projects & Processes at PENNY.
Another key aspect of AI-based systems is data protection - as is the case with EAGLE EYE. Lukas Fömpe, Product Owner Store Automation Solution at REWE digital, explains that "all data is processed locally in the store and does not leave the store". This ensures that the anonymity of the people in the store is preserved and that no other colleagues outside the store have access to the image material.
Alexander Kelleter and Lukas Fömpe demonstrate how EAGLE EYE works in practice in the film.
