EYES EVERYWHERE
Facial recognition, robots to greet visitors
The Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, facial recognition and robotics make a splash at Iconsiam.
The Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition and robotics are making a splash at Iconsiam, the just-opened mixed-use complex on the Chao Phraya River.
Apart from Apple Iconsiam, the first Apple Store in Thailand and second in Southeast Asia, several IT retail shops offer a variety of innovative products focused on the convergence of online and offline.
“We opened a 60-square-metre Jaymart shop equipped with facial recognition and robotics to draw customer interest,” said Narathip Wirunechatapant, chief marketing officer of Jay Mart Plc.
In the store, many IoT devices such as smart lighting and smart home solutions are available as the company seeks to create a new revenue stream apart from smartphones, which have become a mature market.
At Jaymart, the robot will act like a receptionist greeting visitors and use facial recognition to call up membership data.
Jaymart is also operating the Huawei flagship store, where home networks and other IoT devices are offered.
Paramate Rienjaroensuk, chief executive of Copperwired Co, said the company is opening a .Life shop in Iconsiam to demonstrate the latest IoT devices, not just gadgets. The 100-sq-m shop provides smart home, health, mobile photography, sport, music and audio products, including PC and mobile accessories.
“We also plan to open a signature .Life shop in CentralWorld in 300 sq m by next month,” Mr Paramate said. The investment for both shops is 25 million baht, he said.
Papon Ratanachaikanont, group executive director and chief executive assistant for brand management and brand communication at True Corporation, said True installed a fibre-optic network for shops, data centre and communications in Iconsiam with a 1-billion-baht investment.
In addition, True invested 100 million baht to open the True Branding Shop in more than 2,000 sq m to showcase selfservice vending machines that sell gadgets and smartphones.
True also has an Auto Store in
Iconsiam, featuring automated storage that uses AI for analysing sales and managing inventory.
“This shop will demonstrate onlineto-offline services, in which users can order products and pick up at the store,” Mr Papon said. “This allows tourists to purchase Thai products through online channels such as weloveshopping. com and pick up products when they visit Iconsiam.”