chrispeng
Aeron, a Japanese daily-use department store, is testing an RFID robot to track the inventory of its flagship store in Chiba and has launched an EAS system based on RFID technology. These technologies are provided by Checkpoint System.
Since December 2015, this robot provided by Checkpoint has begun to read the ID numbers of items marked with tags in the store. After reading the information, the robot will compare the information with the retailer’s inventory management software data.
(Aeon is testing the automatic inventory counting of the prototype robot to reduce human error, reduce operating costs and the effectiveness of employee labor.)
In 2013, the retailer started using EPC Gen2 passive UHF RFID tags on some products. Checkpoint’s global product management VP Jung Pyon said that the solution uses Checkpoint’s UNO dual RF and RFID tags and Champion RFID tags for EAS anti-theft and inventory management. The label will be read during inventory counting and at the exit.
Previously, the retailer had deployed acousto-magnetic EAS technology to provide anti-theft protection. However, the company said the system could not identify what items were taken out, and it was unable to perform inventory management.
In this new RFID EAS project, the retailer installed Checkpoint Evolve iRange P10 EAS door at the exit of the Chiba store. The EAS gate has a built-in Wirama 1500 RFID reader, which can read the ID number of the item taken away from the exit and issue a warning.
Aeon stores sell clothing, daily necessities and food. These items are usually tagged in distribution centers or stores. Aeon sells its own products and third-party items. The proportion of self-products is constantly increasing. Therefore, in the future, Aeon will choose to attach tags to the factory.
However, Aeon declined to provide details of the project. The company just said that it is currently testing the performance of robots to read RFID tags and uses Checkpoint’s OAT enterprise software to determine product information on store shelves and product information that needs to be restocked. In the past, these were done manually or with handheld readers.
(At the exit of the Chiba store, Aeon installed an Evolve iRange P10 EAS gate with a built-in RFID reader to read the ID number of the item marked with the label leaving the store.)
The robot is similar in height to an adult, using wheels to move and sensor navigation. Currently, Aeon is the first company to use this robot prototype.
An anonymous Aeon spokesperson said: “We hope to improve customer service through this pilot project. We are judging whether the technology can help store operations and reduce the workload of employees, allowing them to focus on customer service.”
The spokesperson also said: “For now, we have no plans to expand or formally deploy this project. We are still in the stage of judging or analyzing the benefits of the trial operation program.”
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