Israeli computer vision company Trigo, which works on frictionless retail checkouts, has launched a new hybrid self-driving grocery store alongside Rewe, a German supermarket group, the companies announced on Tuesday (June 28).

Rewe Group is one of the largest retailers and the second-largest food retail chain in Germany, according to the release, with more than 6,000 stores.

The collaboration with Trigo will allow Rewe employees and loyalty card shoppers at the store on Schönhauser Allee in Berlin’s popular Prenzlauer Berg district to enter a store, select items and exit without going through a normal way.

Trigo enables supermarkets to use artificial intelligence (AI) computer vision and off-the-shelf hardware, enabling them to become fully autonomous and digital. The company places its algorithm on ceiling-mounted cameras, which automatically learn and upload shoppers’ movements and product choices, with payments settled digitally.

Trigo and Rewe have rolled out their first hybrid stand-alone store in downtown Cologne. Trigo has also rolled out stores for Aldi Nord in the Netherlands, Tesco in the UK, Netto Marken Discount in Munich and Wakefern in the US.

“Trigo is extremely proud and honored to deploy its frictionless grocery technology with Rewe, one of the world’s largest and most innovative food retailers,” said Michael Gabay, co-founder and CEO of Trigo. “Rewe has placed its trust in Trigo’s privacy architecture from the outset, and we look forward to bringing this exciting technology to German grocery shoppers. »

PYMNTS wrote that grocery shoppers accustomed to the convenience of online shopping were boosted by the speed and convenience of online shopping. As such, companies have had to look for ways to reduce friction in the payment process even as the pandemic gives way to more normal life.

See also: Fast, frictionless biometric payments are gaining traction in grocery stores

This saw Mastercard add a biometric option, which enabled in-person transactions through gestures like a smile or a hand wave, or a fingerprint. This is currently being tested in five St. Marche supermarkets in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Additionally, Amazon recently purchased Amazon One, allowing customers to pay by palm scans at two Whole Foods Market stores in Los Angeles.