Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (Itri) and 7-Eleven have collaborated to build a 24-hour unmanned convenience store using AIoT technologies.

The X-Store 7 is situated at Itri’s headquarters in Taiwan and integrates Itri’s grab-and-go service that includes smart shelves and various AI sensors, creating a business model conducive to rapid scale-up.

“We integrated smart shelves with AI technologies such as weight sensors, infra-red-light curtain, ID confirmation and customer positioning technologies to fully grasp consumer preferences and digitalise store management,” said Pang-An Ting, general director of Itri’s Information & Communications Research Laboratories. “This not only aids businesses in streamlining operations and addresses labour allocation challenges, but also caters to the shopping needs of remote and under-resourced areas.”

This is the first unmanned convenience store in Taiwan to operate independently without the need for assistance from an adjacent store. The smart shelves and ledger system allow for inventory monitoring, sales tracking and identification of customer hotspots, with just one remote worker managing these tasks in real time. Customers can simply display a QR code from the 7-Eleven app to enter, pick up or return items without the need for baskets or carts, and finalise purchases at a dedicated checkout area before exiting.

Compared with existing cashier-less stores that mainly rely on capital-intensive computer vision, the X-Store 7’s sensor-driven approach reduces computation complexity and camera-related costs, creating a business model favourable to rapid expansion and deployment.

Founded in 1973, Itri has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labour-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy & Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in smart living, quality health, sustainable environment and resilient society. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, Itri has branch offices in the USA, Europe and Japan in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe.