Lightning fast Self-Checkout with AI and Computer Vision
rrs-catering.eu
rrs-catering.eu
Retail Robotics Solutions is a cutting-edge enterprise within the public catering sector, focused on delivering advanced solutions to automate and enhance the ordering and service procedures within the food industry.
Transforming Public Catering
Retail Robotics Solutions is a cutting-edge enterprise within the public catering sector, focused on delivering advanced solutions to automate and enhance the ordering and service procedures within the food industry.
Transforming Public Catering
The project goals and tasks include the acceptance of new industrial design, enhancing user experience across various platforms - web portal for analytics, company website, and terminal interface. We also aim to ensure design consistency, optimize usability, and apply innovative solutions to maintain the competitiveness of the company's products and services.
Main Goals and Project Tasks
The design approach of Retail Robotics Solutions aims to blend functionality with aesthetics, ensuring that all digital products are not only user-friendly but also visually appealing. It involves incorporating sleek and modern design elements that reflect the company's commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology. Emphasis is placed on creating intuitive interfaces that simplify complex processes, such as ordering and payment, while also enhancing the overall customer experience.
Design Concept
The design approach of Retail Robotics Solutions aims to blend functionality with aesthetics, ensuring that all digital products are not only user-friendly but also visually appealing. It involves incorporating sleek and modern design elements that reflect the company's commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology. Emphasis is placed on creating intuitive interfaces that simplify complex processes, such as ordering and payment, while also enhancing the overall customer experience.
Design Concept
As a UX consultant at Retail Robotics Solutions, I was responsible for accepting the self-service kiosk industrial design from PARTTEAM & OEMKIOSKS. Throughout this process, I analyzed the provided design, identified its problematic areas, flaws, and functional shortcomings, thoroughly describing the discovered inaccuracies and concerns regarding the design and usability of the device.
Indastrial Design
Role
UX Consultant
Due to NDA limitations, prohibiting the demonstration of the entire work process and final results, as well as some technical aspects constituting company know-how, only one iteration of the acceptance process is described here; thus, it is not the final outcome.
Tasks
My goal was to ensure high quality and efficiency in the device's design for optimal user experience and customer satisfaction.
Implementation
Leveraging my expertise in self-service systems and extensive experience in user communication, I applied principles I developed during the design of similar systems in 2019 to effectively evaluate the design considering both business objectives and technical aspects. During the industrial design review, I pinpointed areas for improvement to enhance user experience and meet client requirements.
The submitted document lacks mention of cable management, layout, or any other solutions to this issue, which is a significant gap, especially in the foodservice industry, where aesthetics and wire safety play a crucial role. The importance of thoughtful cable management in the system is undeniable from both aesthetic and functional standpoints. It is necessary to anticipate various equipment configurations to avoid the possibility of cable compression, length mismatch, or entanglement. Special attention should be paid to camera connections, especially when they are positioned at a distance from the main computer. Poor-quality hubs can lead to frequent camera disconnections, which is unacceptable.
1. Cable Management and Equipment Connection
The absence of a module for reading various personal cards, such as access passes or discount cards, despite being one of the requirements in the technical specifications, raises questions about the device's functionality. It is necessary to explore options for expanding functionality to read RFID tags or other types of cards, possibly through a payment terminal or alternative modules.
2. Lack of Personal Card Reading Module
1. There are concerns regarding the occurrence of shadows on the tray from the camera box installed at a 45-degree angle. This could be caused by directional light used to illuminate the tray.
3. Aspects of Lighting and Its Impact on System Functionality
Effect of window light on camera image
Normal lighting
2. There is a potential issue with possible glare from the camera's sensor, installed at a 90-degree angle from the main lighting. Since the camera lens is not flat, it is highly sensitive to sidelight. This could critically affect image quality, creating unpleasant artifacts and glare on the image.
3. This design does not eliminate the device's dependence on external lighting and potential difficulties in installing equipment near windows. This may lead to various problems related to lighting, visibility, and severely limit the choice of equipment installation locations. With this equipment configuration, additional research is required on camera exposure programming and selecting suitable equipment.
4. An observation is made that downward-directed light is not always perfectly directed, leading to a blinding effect for cashiers who typically work seated, with this light always at eye level. During physical testing of the device, attention should be paid to this issue, and maximally downward-directed lighting should be added to prevent potential problems for other food service staff.
5. It is also necessary to avoid metallic surfaces as they can reflect light and create additional discomfort for users. The light is bright enough to cause discomfort to human eyes. Since there are certain restrictions on the choice of materials in the food service industry, when selecting food-grade stainless steel, attention should be paid to grades with low chromium content (12-15%) for less glossiness.
6. Another crucial aspect is adjusting the brightness and the ability to turn off the lighting depending on specific lighting conditions and technical requirements during deployment. This can increase the system's usability and adaptability to various situations. This mechanism is not described in the document, but it may be implied.
1. There arises a question regarding the possibility of using the tower as a full-fledged helper* on the service line. Following the technical specifications, the system should be modular, and the tower should be utilized for both guest service and data collection at the serving line. In such a case, it is crucial to clarify the location of the computer in the second mode of use. Additionally, it needs to be determined whether it will be a regular mini-computer or a specialized module as depicted in the renders. Since this module implies the use of a printer and has a quite bulky size, the possibility of using the tower as a helper is practically ruled out due to low mobility and flexibility in installation.
4. Questions About Tower Functionality and Stability
* — a «Helper» is a separate device for collecting real-time user data from the service line
2. The tower with a small base appears somewhat unstable, especially judging by the render, where ordinary legs are visible, similar to those of the larger base. It is essential to verify that there is no risk of it toppling over. Consideration should be given to a more secure fastening method, possibly clamps; in such a case, an important remark is the impermissibility of damaging the serving line's coating.
1. Questions arise regarding the adequacy of space for installing the facial recognition camera. Since the facial recognition camera differs in size from a standard dish recognition camera, it is important to ensure that sufficient space is provided for it. Based on the render, a standard camera is installed in this location.
5. Installing and Configuring a Camera for Face Recognition
2. A mechanism will be required to adjust the angle of the facial recognition camera vertically to adapt it to different table heights and tower installation configurations. It is not entirely clear from the current documents whether such an option is available. Based on initial assessments, the facial recognition camera may be positioned too low to fully capture the heads of individuals over 190 cm tall.
The camera boards significantly heat up during continuous operation (80-100 degrees depending on the model; I even got burned once during testing), which inevitably leads to artifacts in the images and power supply issues over time. It is crucial to develop a heat dissipation mechanism to extend the lifespan of the cameras and integrate a temperature monitoring system to promptly alert technical support staff of potential device overheating. Additionally, consideration should be given to the potential additional heating of the cameras from the LED indicators and lighting at the top of the tower, as they are located closely to each other.
6. Cooling system
As a mounting solution for cameras, the use of a hinge-type connection is proposed. Overall, this is a good practice; however, it is extremely important to use high-quality hinges from reputable brands (for quick replacement), as over time the mounting will inevitably loosen and fail to hold the camera in the required position, which is absolutely critical for adjusting the camera angle, requiring precision down to millimeters.
7. Quality and Reliability of Camera Mounting
One of the previously suggested ideas is to create a niche in the tray stand to ensure precise positioning without additional cues for users. This could significantly improve the user experience and prevent erroneous tray placement. However, the current concept lacks information regarding the implementation of such a solution.
8. Proposed Enhancement for Tray Stand
The submitted document lacks control buttons on the computer module, which may cause inconvenience during equipment maintenance and repair. The absence of the ability to reboot the system without accessing the internals can lead to service delays and malfunctions. Additionally, there is a risk of accidental equipment disconnection when accessing the box carelessly. It is important to provide convenient access to the control buttons to ensure a quick response to potential issues. This should be convenient not only for the technical support team but also for the staff of the foodservice point, for example, for replacing paper in the printer.
9. Lack of Control Buttons and Quick Access on the Computer Module
One of the crucial aspects is the perception of reliability and aesthetics. In the current configuration, a large monitor and peripheral devices are placed on a thin stand, which may raise concerns regarding their stability and reliability. The proposed option with a vertical screen appears to be the most appealing as it conceals the mentioned stand and likely provides a more stable structure. Concerning the external appearance, it is important to pay attention to the form and ergonomics to ensure that the system is not associated with imperfect elements or objects, such as a wastebasket on a desk. Ultimately, the design should be attractive, functional, and convenient for both staff and visitors to ensure a positive user experience.
10. Perception of Reliability and Aesthetics
SCKAI is an innovative solution for automating the ordering and payment process in food service establishments. The product is equipped with artificial intelligence, which ensures fast and accurate product identification, automatic calculation of order costs, and convenient payment options. It minimizes queues and enhances overall service levels.
SCKAI
Role
Lead UI/UX
Tasks
The task was to create a convenient and intuitive interface for customers to optimize the self-service process. It was crucial to reduce customer wait times through more efficient and swift service. Internal interfaces for dish training and other features were also taken into account.
Implementation
Creating a simple and user-friendly interface that will seamlessly guide users through the self-service process. Implementing adaptive design principles for screens of various sizes and orientations. Additionally, overseeing the integration of the system with existing POS systems.
Internal tool for monitoring the statistics of self-service terminal operation.
Web Cabinet
Role
Lead UI/UX
Tasks
Developing tools for monitoring and analyzing the statistics of self-service terminal operations. Providing company administrators with managerial insights and decision-making tools.
Implementation
Creation of tools for monitoring the statistics of self-service terminal operations. Development of administrative functions for company management and analysis of data on terminal performance.
A platform with an attractive and informative design.
rrs-catering.eu
rrs-catering.eu
Website
Role
Lead UI/UX
Tasks
Creating a convenient and user-friendly website to attract new customers. Additionally, developing a user-friendly platform for tracking company news and providing information about offered services.
Implementation
Development of an attractive and informative website design, optimization of the site structure for easy information retrieval. Integration with a news database and provision of up-to-date information about the company and its services.
More Works
Creation of system design and UI kit, complete redesign of the platform and development of new features
Creation of design concept. Creation of interfaces for self-service terminal, smart fridge, software for chefs and other internal systems of the company
Creation of a self-check-in kiosk interface for smart hotels in collaboration with Yandex. As well as creating promotional materials and some web details
Creation of a mobile application and web platform for assessing the quality of crab meat. The mobile application received an award
The identity and basic principles of interface construction were developed. A MVP version of the service was developed to test business hypotheses
CONTACTS
I really love communicating with my clients
tg: @egorprotsenkoo
protsenkooegor@gmail.com
You can write to me anytime
This site is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Oh hey. Designed and built by me.
Copyright © 2024 Egor Protsenkoo.
All rights reserved.
