Tech-Kest set to shake up supermarket checkouts with 20-second computer vision app

By Michael Adesina

Nigerian tech startup Tech-Kest Limited has announced a major milestone in the development of its breathtaking mobile application designed to drastically reduce supermarket checkout times to an unprecedented 20 seconds.

The company’s Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has successfully passed its critical Optimization phase and is now poised to enter the software engineering stage, bringing this innovative solution closer to consumers nationwide.

Sisor app (derived from the Igbo word; Osiso – meaning fast) leverages the power of computer vision, trained with Google’s TensorFlow, to intelligently identify and scan multiple grocery items simultaneously. This eliminates the need for traditional barcode scanning, promising a significantly faster and more seamless checkout experience for shoppers across Nigeria’s bustling supermarket landscape.

Speaking exclusively to our publication, Tech-Kest Chief Technology Officer John Orakwe highlighted the technological prowess behind the app’s development.

“The successful optimization of our MVP is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of our engineering team. We have meticulously trained our computer vision model with TensorFlow to accurately and rapidly recognize a wide array of retail products, even in varied lighting and packaging conditions. Our goal is to create a truly intuitive and efficient experience that will save Nigerian shoppers valuable time.”

Adding his perspective on the app’s potential impact, the Chief Operating Officer, Obinna Nwodo, emphasized the transformative effect on the retail sector.

“Imagine completing your grocery shopping and checking out in under half a minute. Sisor is not just about speed; it’s about enhancing the entire retail experience for both shoppers and supermarkets. By minimizing queues and streamlining the checkout process, we aim to improve customer satisfaction, increase throughput for retailers, and ultimately contribute to a more efficient and modern retail ecosystem in Nigeria.”

The passing of the MVP optimization phase marks a crucial step towards realizing Sisor’s vision. The upcoming software engineering stage will focus on building a robust, user-friendly, and scalable mobile application ready for widespread deployment.

Sisor’s innovative approach has garnered significant attention within Nigeria’s competitive tech scene as Tech-Kest continues to set the pace for innovative B2B solutions in Africa; with many anticipating its potential to address a common pain point for consumers nationwide.

The app’s reliance on cutting-edge technologies like computer vision and TensorFlow underscores the growing capacity for local innovation to tackle everyday challenges with sophisticated solutions.

While a definitive launch date is yet to be announced, Sisor’s progress indicates that the future of fast and efficient supermarket checkouts in Nigeria may be just around the corner. Consumers and retailers alike will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of this potentially game-changing application.