Face Pay shop opens in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: A Face Pay shop has opened in Abu Dhabi where customers can pay for goods by scanning their face.

A leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa region has implemented Face Pay, a face verification platform from consumer authentication service provider PopID, in a first for biometric payments in the UAE.

Customers are now able to purchase food, daily essentials, and more using Face Pay. Consumers can enrol for the service through the mobile app or website, and then purchase products at the store by smiling at a payment terminal instead of pulling out a phone or card.

This solution is based on proprietary facial recognition technology developed by PopID, and provisioned through Network International’s acceptance network for mass adoption across the UAE.

The smart store was opened in the Sky Tower on Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. The store’s payment system works by leveraging built-in technology. Around 1,300 items including juice, coffee, bread and other snacks can be purchased by scanning your face and paying.

The developers said that the traditional shopping methods have been replaced by face scanning and shopping is facilitated here. Facility to use bank card instead of Face Pay has also been introduced.

Customers need to download the app if they want to shop by scanning their faces. When the customer reaches the store, he has to move to the Face Pay machine and scan the face. After that, entry into the shop will be allowed. Sensors will be used to understand what items are being taken. Goods can be billed and payment completed at exit without staff intervention.