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Mannequins may be watching you

BY Jamie Skorheim  on November 27, 2012 @ 10:47 am (Updated: 7:10 am - 11/28/12 )

mannequins.jpg
Mannequins used to be something just observed by humans. But now some are observing us. (Image courtesy Almax)
Most understand the purpose of mannequins in a store as displays for you to look at, but a new type of mannequin will actually be looking back at you.

The EyeSee mannequin developed by a company called Almax is built to observe customers and how they interact with products or displays.

A camera in the mannequin's head is connected to software that can provide stores information on passersby reactions and provide statistics on the number of people who walk by.

"Some people think this is creepy," says Ross and Burbank Show host Dave Ross.

The mannequins can provide retailers details on the age range of visitors, gender, race, and the time spent observing the display.

The idea is that the data collected, including info on facial expressions, can provide data on attractiveness and appropriateness of displays for the audience viewing the mannequin.

"It makes perfect sense they would do it with a mannequin," says co-host Luke Burbank. "Probably because of some basic humanity that is ingrained in us, you probably tend to look at the mannequin's face because that's just what we're used to doing when we're dealing with human-like things. It's probably the most reliable place where they can get a scan of your face."

Almax says the technology respects shoppers' privacy and doesn't hold onto images of the faces analyzed, but simply passes along the data.

But some retailers are still not on board. ABC News reports Seattle-based Nordstrom is not sold on the technology. But Almax reportedly already has one client in the U.S. so the new mannequins may already be watching you somewhere.

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
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Comments (4)


  • Add A Comment

  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Hmmmmmmmm?............
    November 27, 2012 2:32 pm
    Coming soon to a Youtube video near you.....

    1. Guy picking his nose.

    2. Guy scratching hisass.

    3. Guy scratching his nuts.

    4. Couple heatedly arguing.

    5. Someone physically abusing another.

    6. Guy standing outside the story turning himself inside out waiting for whatever female he is with who is inside the store to finish whatever it is that females do inside of these stores.

    Only my opinion, but very creepy (but should create some interesting "best of" Youtube videos).

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  • Regularjoe44 wrote...
    There's a whole lot more...
    November 27, 2012 5:00 pm
    ...than some plastic dummies looking at you. Any major retailer that is only somewhat updated, has camera systems that rival some casinos in Vegas. But relax, they're as much for the employees as they are for you. For the most part, where you scratch yourself will only be seen by the LP staff and won't make it to you tube...they'll just get a little laugh.
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  • Snout wrote...
    Two mannequins on the air.
    November 27, 2012 7:09 pm
    Who cares? Don't steal stuff and it won't be an issue. Guess what? All of those other customers in the store are probably also looking at you too. But I don't care. Unless my GF picks out something for me I usually buy what the mannequin is wearing anyway.:)
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  • roomtemp wrote...
    This calls for a new shopping hat!
    November 27, 2012 7:27 pm
    http://www.partycity.com/product/obama+mask.do

    I suppose if I'm not feeling very democrat that day there's always the Darth Vader or Guy Fawkes options... XD

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }