1 of 2
Photography courtesy of aisle411
2 of 2
Photography courtesy of aisle411
Nathan Pettyjohn was wandering through a hardware store, searching for a surge protector, frustration building. The store’s computers knew the location of every item—why not share that info with consumers? In 2007, he founded aisle411 here to help shoppers find stuff. Soon, it expanded to incorporate coupons, reviews, and product descriptions. Participating stores learn users’ shopping patterns, helping the retailers compete with online sellers like Amazon, which have traditionally collected far more user data. Now, through a partnership with Google’s Project Tango, aisle411 hopes to take the in-store shopping experience to the next level. Here's how it all works.
• Users can search for a single item, and its location will pop up on a store map. Or they can map their whole shopping list, or organize it by aisle in a list format.
• Users can access aisle411’s technology either by downloading the aisle411 app or through the apps of partner retailers. RedLaser, a shopping app owned by eBay, also works with aisle411.
• In certain test stores, aisle411 uses indoor-positioning technology to track shoppers as they move. When you walk past a certain product, the app might send you a coupon. Or if you linger by the dog food, it might ask whether you want more information.
• With the recent addition of Indianapolis-based grocer Marsh Supermarkets, aisle411 now works with roughly 12,500 retail stores.
• At this summer’s Google I/O conference, aisle411 was set to announce a series of new capabilities, powered by Google’s forthcoming Project Tango tablets, which feature cutting-edge motion- and depth-sensing camera technology. Now, aisle411’s maps are 3-D. Users view the store around them through the tablet. A navigation route along the floor guides you to your next item. While shopping, you can collect coupon coins, like you’re Sonic the Hedgehog. It turns every trip to the store into a video game. “It’s like augmented reality—only better,” Pettyjohn says.
