Chapter 1 Understanding Automation Applications in Retail What automation can and cannot do at the current level
Compare the efficiency of machines with manual labor
Find the best application scenarios for automation and also where it might not be the best choice.
Chapter 2 People Counting for Resource Management
Create a system using computer vision to perform analysis of retail outlet occupancy at different times.
Use the data to improve allocation of the company resources (e.g. personnel, electricity).
Chapter 3 Vending Machine
Use the Raspberry Pi compute module to process orders and control the hardware in a vending machine.
Understand how to interface a Raspberry Pi compute module with a customized carrier board for specific needs (e.g., vending machine control modules)
Chapter 4 Interactive Touch Screen Directory/ Customer Service Robot
Connect a Raspberry Pi with a high resolution touch screen display and transform it into an interactive directory to help customers in the mall or other retail environment.
Instead of a large touch screen display, a mobile platform such as a robot can also help customers with directions.
Chapter 5 Voice Interaction Drive-Through Self-Service Station
Prototype a replacement for a traditional drive-through station by utilizing Raspberry Pi.
Speech recognition to help customers with their order.
Chapter 6 Employee Management System
Build a system to optimize time tracking and the punch in/punch out process. Use collected data to drive human resource management decisions.
Chapter 7 Advertisement Display
Create a device to display advertising promotion content for a real estate screen.
Remotely schedule and control the content via a network interface.
Chapter 8 Check-Out Counter with Barcode Scanner
Lower equipment cost by replacing a traditional check-out computer system with a single Raspberry Pi 400 all-in-one keyboard.
Chapter 9 Server/Server Cluster for Hosting
Optimize your small business hosting costs by moving away from renting public cloud servers
Hosting your website/application/chatbot customer service on a Raspberry Pi/Raspberry Pi cluster
Chapter 10 Summary and Tips on Practical Implementation
Summary
Ideas and practical advice on the best ways to quickly replace or upgrade current systems with automation by Raspberry Pi
