Next is trialing advanced AI scanners to identify stolen items concealed in undergarments by customers. The technology utilizes body heat changes to detect hidden objects like weapons, explosives, cash, and drugs.
The testing of the “Thruvision Passive Terahertz Screening System” has been conducted in Next UK warehouses and distribution centers, with potential plans to implement it in retail stores. Steve Teatum, Head of Group Loss Prevention at Next, discussed the system on the Retail Crime Uncovered podcast, as reported by The Sun.
Teatum highlighted the effectiveness of the new technology in uncovering items hidden on individuals’ bodies, making it challenging for traditional security screening methods to detect such concealed goods.
The rise in shoplifting incidents in England and Wales has prompted companies like Home Bargains to adopt innovative solutions. Home Bargains has collaborated with tech companies like SAI and Everseen to deploy AI cameras at self-checkouts to detect unscanned items, alerting staff to potential theft attempts.
Paul Rowland, operations director at Home Bargains, emphasized the success of technology in combating theft compared to traditional security measures. This initiative aims to address the surge in retail crimes and follows the launch of a confidential hotline for customers to report incidents of shoplifting and crime at Home Bargains stores.
