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The future of retail: Intel’s augmented reality digital display

By | May 18, 2010, 11:27 AM PDT

If there’s one thing I came back from this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show raving about, it was this: Intel’s holographic, augmented reality digital touchscreen display.

(And I was raving. Just ask SmartPlanet editor-in-chief Larry Dignan.)

Demonstrated on stage during Intel CEO Paul Otellini’s keynote speech, the 7-ft. transparent display had me salivating. With it, you can literally “select” an item you can see through the glass — say, a stack of Levi’s jeans — and order up the right size and wash.

The interactive display itself is pretty smart, too: it can sense when you’re standing in front of it (it lights up) and detect your height and gender.

Inside, it runs on a Windows Embedded Standard platform and the company’s Core i7 processor.

Just imagine installing such a thing in public spaces such as on streets or train platforms, bus stations and public squares.

In an exclusive video, SmartPlanet correspondent Sumi Das talks with lead designer — or “platform system architect for digital signage” in Intel-speak — Ed Stock, who walks her through the intelligent proof-of-concept system.

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Andrew Nusca

About Andrew Nusca

Andrew Nusca is the editor of SmartPlanet.

Andrew Nusca

Andrew Nusca

Editor

Andrew Nusca is editor of SmartPlanet and an associate editor for ZDNet. Previously, he worked at Money, Men's Vogue and Popular Mechanics magazines. He holds degrees from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and New York University. He based in New York but resides in Philadelphia.

Follow him on Twitter.

Andrew Nusca

Andrew Nusca
Andrew Nusca does not hold any investments in the companies he covers.
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RE: The future of retail: Intel's augmented reality digital display
INVENTORS - DO NOT TRUST INTEL
I invented a CPU cooler - 3 times better than best - better than
water. Intel have major CPU cooling problems - "Intel's
microprocessors were generating so much heat that they were
melting" (iht.com) - try to talk to them - they send my
communications to my competitor & will not talk to me.

Winners of major 'Corporate Social Responsibility' awardS!!!

Huh!!!!

When did RICO get repealed?"

INVENTORS - DO NOT TRUST INTEL!!!

BTW, I have the evidence - my competitor gave it to me.

BBTW, I am prepared to apologise to Intel if;
? They can show that the actions were those of a single
individual in the company, acting outside corporate policy, and:
? They gain redress on my behalf.

Although playing a major role in it's facilitation, the power of the
internet appears to have come as much a surprise to Intel as it
has to the catholic church.

Inventors - help your fellow inventors - share your experiences
with companies - good and bad.
Posted by Stuart21@...
18th May 2010
0 Votes
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RE: The future of retail: Intel's augmented reality digital display
Where is the spam button?
Posted by zclayton3
19th May 2010
0 Votes
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I think this is a good idea, but
The video showed limited thinking on this. Most people, now and in the future, go to a store and want to see the clothes before buying. If this was not the case, then internet clothes buying would have taken off better than it has.

Also retailers would not put this reality digital display in the front of the store. The retail store wants to sell you more than what you came in to buy. Ever notice that a retail store makes you go through aisles you before you get to the most popular items? Impulse buying account for too much business to let this product interfere. Many retailers offer an internet buying service then pick up in a local store. Did you notice the pick up area is in the back of the store, not in front?

Only if you can figure a way for the retail stores to increase sales will this go over very big. This would be handy in location in a mall that would give better information on what store you wanted to visit. Good luck on having it at the check out when you get there. grin
Posted by DadsPad
19th May 2010
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RE: The future of retail: Intel's augmented reality digital display
From a marketing background I feel the technology has potential but it could prove difficult to implement in larger department stores where there is a high amount of shoppers.

DadsPad, you miss the point Intel's proof of concept augmented reality digital display would automate the shopping experience surely it is a step forward not a step back.

In Australia in Woolworths stores we have an automated system that allows grocery shoppers to scan the bar code on the products they are purchasing.

As long as people are patient with people who aren't use to using this automated system then it's a great idea but in the real world no one is patient any more.

Intel's system uses biometrics to determine the right size so anything that can take out the human element has to be a good thing.

It cost less to maintain a machine then it does to pay someone wages so based on economy of scale it's better economics in turn lowering the cost of products.
Posted by paulrayment
19th May 2010
0 Votes
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If its such a good idea, you'd need more than a few
kinda like the redbox, if its what customers want, will have a long line
of people who don't entirely know how to use it, perusing through
the selection while people wait frustrated behind them.
Posted by shadfurman
20th May 2010
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RE: The future of retail: Intel's augmented reality digital display
Little confused by this, we have had this tech at tkm9 for the past 6
months...really ibm ? so old.

I find these articles so funny we have moved onto ar with gesture
far beyond this.

The reason it is not in the stores is that retail in australia is at least
12 months off the pace of europe and asia...
Posted by mhodgo
23rd Jul 2010
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