AI to ID produce in Czechia: Are faster grocery checkouts ahead?

Czech supermarket chain Albert is rolling out new artificial intelligence (AI) technology designed to speed up the checkout process for shoppers buying loose produce, pastries, and other weighed goods.

The system, now in place at 50 stores, uses a camera built into the checkout scale to identify items based on shape and appearance. It replaces the manual process where cashiers scroll through menus to find the right product, a task that could take up to eight seconds per item. With the new technology, identification typically takes just three to four seconds.

“For customers, it’s a change they may not even notice immediately, but it makes shopping more efficient and pleasant,” said Jiří Mareček, spokesperson for Albert, in a press release.

While the time savings per item may seem modest, they add up quickly. A customer purchasing six loose items could check out roughly 30 seconds faster, and during peak hours, this could reduce waiting times by more than a minute for those in line.

The system performs best with items that have distinctive features, such as ginger or citrus fruits. More subtle differences — like between various apple varieties — remain a challenge. The AI also recognizes only one product at a time, meaning that if multiple produce items are placed on the scale simultaneously, manual entry is still required.

“The technology is evolving. We’re continuing to improve accuracy and expand capabilities,” Mareček added.

Albert plans to introduce the system across all of its stores by the end of 2025. The technology will also be integrated into self-scanning devices used in hypermarkets, expanding its use beyond traditional checkouts.

The move comes as Czech retailers increasingly explore automation to improve customer service and reduce staffing pressures. Chains like COOP have begun operating fully automated, staff-free locations in smaller towns, and 24-hour stores like Prague’s Minute Shops are gaining traction.