AI-based retail solutions company Finders AI said on Jan. 13 it has collaborated with Samsung Welstory to apply an AI self-checkout system, dubbed VCO (Vision Check-Out), to Samsung Welstory’s unmanned payment system for ready-to-eat meals.

The VCO system, introduced through the collaboration, scans multiple types of ready-to-eat meals offered in cafeterias when they are placed on a scanner. Cameras arranged in 360 degrees scan the items in real time and analyze them with AI in 1 to 2 seconds. Payment is completed within seconds when an employee or customer tags a payment method on the terminal.

For ready-to-eat meals, product shapes vary, and for manufactured items there are often no barcodes carrying price information, the company explained. It said the system was designed to recognize items accurately through AI image training.

The two companies plan to continuously improve recognition rates and the user experience (UX) based on actual operating data.

A Finders AI official said VCO recognizes multiple products at once to speed up the payment process and is optimized for stadiums and corporate cafeterias where crowds gather. The official said applying the solution to Samsung Welstory corporate cafeterias will reduce waiting times and deliver a more advanced food and beverage culture experience by improving comfort.