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Future of the Retail Checkout Workstation

CATEA’s Work RERC is conducting research to aid in the development of accessible workstations. This project focuses on checkout workstations in retail stores. Preliminary research shows that current designs of retail workstations do not offer the right accommodations for the intended users. According to the research, limited accessibility of checkstand design has contributed to job loss and reduced employment. Although retail employees have vary widely in age, experience, cultural background, physical ability and cognitive ability, the operating controls and task design do not currently account for these differences.

Through participatory research techniques and ergonomic studies, the project will identify accessibility and usability needs and outline design guidelines of a retail workstation that will allow all users to work safely, comfortably and efficiently. To increase design acceptance, all stakeholders will be considered in the development of the guidelines and information disseminated to them to improve design implementation.

We are currently conducting research of emerging technologies like Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) and future trends like self-checkout in the retail market that promise a dramatic change in the future shopping experience. RFID enabled technologies are the main drivers of this evolution and the future replacement of bar code technology. Although the implementation of these technologies might reduce the overall number of jobs available, it will increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities because these technologies aid or eliminate tasks that were previously limiting factors. Other technologies such as the IBM smart scale that uses image recognition technology to automatically identify produce will also reduce the need to type, look at or remembering codes of those products.

Two customers using an IBM smart scale to identify and price oranges.

The next step of this project is to look at how these technologies can help people with disabilities become more competitive in the job market. We will also look at improving related tasks like bagging.

Contact

Scott Haynes, MBME.
Research Engineer II
scott.haynes@coa.gatech.edu