Policing Positivity

Japanese Rail Firm Adopts Smile Scanners to Gauge Customer Service

A Japanese rail firm has adopted Omron smile scanners into their fleet to gauge the level of their staff’s customer service based on the wideness of their smiles.

Customer service is a priority in Japan, and Omron smile scanners are set to be in place in 15 Tokyo rail stations. These scanners, according to the BBC, will measure the smile’s curvature. Those with smiles that aren’t up to snuff will be counseled and instructed to adopt a more genuine facial expression.

Omron smile scanners won’t just appear in rail stations, however. The BBC adds that the scanners will also be used at truck stops to measure driver drowsiness and at an Osaka hospital. The technology might also progress to retail stores, where they’d be used to measure customer reactions to products on store shelves.

Image Credit: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/blog/2009/jul/07/japanese-smile-scanning">Guardian</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://techtickerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/omron.jpg">Tech Ticker</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://io9.com/5307512/your-smile-will-be-monitored-to-evaluate-quality-of-service">IO9</a>

Smile Scanners for Customer Service
Adoption and implementation of smile detection technology can enhance customer service in various industries.
Facial Expression Recognition for Safety and Health
Facial expression recognition technology can be used in industries besides customer service, such as transportation and healthcare, to ensure safety and health.
Product Testing Through Facial Expression Recognition
Retail stores can use facial expression recognition technology to measure customer reactions to products on store shelves.

Who This Affects Most

Transportation
Smile scanners can be used in transportation to identify the level of customer service and ensure safety and health.
Healthcare
Facial expression recognition technology can be used in healthcare to identify patient satisfaction and ensure safety.
Retail
Retail stores can use facial expression recognition technology to identify customer reactions to products and enhance sales.
SCORE
3.2 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen X
  • Millennial (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 13%
Activity 74%
Freshness 8%

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