Big brother can target those shoplifting via shopping cart.WHEN Evolution Robotics robotics, science and technology of general purpose, programmable machine systems. Contrary to the popular fiction image of robots as ambulatory machines of human appearance capable of performing almost any task, most robotic systems are anchored to fixed positions Inc. was founded four years ago, its business plan called for using its advanced pattern recognition technology to-find weaponry in dense urban areas. Now, the Pasadena Pasadena (păs'ədē`nə). 1 City (1990 pop. 131,591), Los Angeles co., S Calif., at the base of the San Gabriel Mts.; inc. 1866. company is finding that its future may lie beneath the checkout counter. The company, launched at the Idealab business incubator Business incubators are organizations that support the entrepreneurial process, helping to increase survival rates for innovative startup companies. Entrepreneurs with feasible projects are selected and admitted into the incubators, where they are offered a specialized menu of , has inked deals with five supermarket chains to test LaneHawk, which uses pattern recognition technology to detect six-packs of Coke, dog food and other goods stashed away in the underbellies of shopping carts. The supermarkets, including Cataret. N.J.-based Pathmark Stores Inc., are instituting pilot programs by putting small LaneHawk cameras in their five highest-volume checkout aisles. The programs are to last four to six months and help determine if the device is cost effective. Alec Hudnut, Evolution's president and former managing director of Idealab, said he hadn't considered applying the technology to grocery stores before he was approached by a supermarket company concerned about merchandise losses. "If you can recognize a weapon in a crowd, we would at least have a good shot at doing this. It was a very logical idea," he said. The LaneHawk doesn't catch everything. It must view 10 percent of an item to let the cashier CASHIER. An officer of a moneyed institution, who is entitled by virtue of his office to take care of the cash or money of such institution. 2. The cashier of a bank is usually entrusted with all the funds of the bank, its notes, bills, and other choses in know that it is in the cart's bottom. If it does, it alerts the cashier to add the item to the bill. Supermarkets make about $100 in profits daily per lane on $10,000 in revenues, but they can lose $10 to $20 from items customers stow away stow tr.v. stowed, stow·ing, stows 1. a. To place or arrange, especially in a neat, compact way: stowed his gear in the footlocker. b. in the shopping cart bottoms. Prior to LaneHawk, their methods of reducing checkout theft were decidedly low-tech: installing mirrors, reconfiguring aisles and adding extra baggers. At Pathmark, cashiers have been advised to watch out for items in the bottoms of carts. "We are enthused about the potential for LaneHawk because of the operational benefits," said Harvey Harvey, city (1990 pop. 29,771), Cook co., NE Ill., a suburb S of Chicago; inc. 1895. Its manufactures include steel castings, metal products, chemicals, machinery, and electronic equipment. Harvey has an oil research center. The city was founded by Turlington W. Gutman, a senior vice president of the supermarket chain. Staff reporter Rachel Brown Rachel Brown (born July 2 1980) is an English footballer, currently playing as goalkeeper for Everton Ladies and England Women. After a long spell out with injury, Brown returned to the England team against Sweden in the last group game of Women’s Euro 2005. can be reached by phone at (323) 549-5225, ext. 224, or by e-mail at rbrown@labusinessjournal.com. |
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