Wegmans Supermarkets Offer a More Accessible Way to Grocery Shop
Ellen Smith — September 4, 2018 — Social Good
Navigating through packed shelves of a busy store isn't always an easy task for those with visual impairments, and Wegmans supermarkets is hoping to alleviate some of this hardship, through a new partnership with Aira.
Aira is an app that uses wearable technology to help those with visual impairments. The new technology uses one's smartphone, a GPS tracker and a live-streaming camera to help shoppers locate the items they're looking for. What's more is that this app connects shoppers to real-time employees who can answer product questions or read the labels of the food item.
Wegmans will be the first grocery store chain to use this sort of technology. The Aira compatibility is available in Wegmans locations across the United States.
Image Credit: SER AMANTIO DI NICOLAO / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Aira is an app that uses wearable technology to help those with visual impairments. The new technology uses one's smartphone, a GPS tracker and a live-streaming camera to help shoppers locate the items they're looking for. What's more is that this app connects shoppers to real-time employees who can answer product questions or read the labels of the food item.
Wegmans will be the first grocery store chain to use this sort of technology. The Aira compatibility is available in Wegmans locations across the United States.
Image Credit: SER AMANTIO DI NICOLAO / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Trend Themes
1. Wearable Technology for Visual Impairments - The partnership between Wegmans and Aira highlights the trend of using wearable technology to assist those with visual impairments in everyday tasks like grocery shopping.
2. Real-time Assistance for Shoppers - The Aira app's feature of connecting visually impaired shoppers with real-time employees showcases the trend of providing immediate assistance and support in the retail industry.
3. Accessible Shopping Experiences - Wegmans' implementation of the Aira app demonstrates the industry trend of creating more inclusive and accessible shopping experiences for individuals with visual impairments.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - The partnership between Wegmans and Aira presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the retail industry to enhance customer experiences and better serve individuals with visual impairments.
2. Wearable Technology - The use of wearable technology, as exemplified by the Aira app, opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the wearable technology industry to cater to the needs of individuals with visual impairments.
3. Assistive Technology - The collaboration between Wegmans and Aira showcases disruptive innovation opportunities in the assistive technology industry, where companies can develop new solutions to improve the daily lives of visually impaired individuals.
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