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Policing Positivity

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

Japanese Rail Firm Adopts Smile Scanners to Gauge Customer Service

— July 11, 2009 — Tech
A Japanese rail firm has adopted Omron smile scanners into their fleet to gauge the level of their staff’s customer service based on the wideness of their smiles.

Customer service is a priority in Japan, and Omron smile scanners are set to be in place in 15 Tokyo rail stations. These scanners, according to the BBC, will measure the smile’s curvature. Those with smiles that aren’t up to snuff will be counseled and instructed to adopt a more genuine facial expression.

Omron smile scanners won’t just appear in rail stations, however. The BBC adds that the scanners will also be used at truck stops to measure driver drowsiness and at an Osaka hospital. The technology might also progress to retail stores, where they’d be used to measure customer reactions to products on store shelves.


Image Credit: Guardian | Tech Ticker | IO9
Trend Themes
1. Smile Scanners for Customer Service - Adoption and implementation of smile detection technology can enhance customer service in various industries.
2. Facial Expression Recognition for Safety and Health - Facial expression recognition technology can be used in industries besides customer service, such as transportation and healthcare, to ensure safety and health.
3. Product Testing Through Facial Expression Recognition - Retail stores can use facial expression recognition technology to measure customer reactions to products on store shelves.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - Smile scanners can be used in transportation to identify the level of customer service and ensure safety and health.
2. Healthcare - Facial expression recognition technology can be used in healthcare to identify patient satisfaction and ensure safety.
3. Retail - Retail stores can use facial expression recognition technology to identify customer reactions to products and enhance sales.
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