# Policing Positivity Japanese Rail Firm Adopts Smile Scanners to Gauge Customer Service By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-07-11 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omron-smile-scanners References: [twitter](http://twitter.com/ilovetypography/status/2588381423) & [news.bbc](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8146078.stm) A Japanese rail firm has adopted [Omron](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omron-health) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manhattan-s4r-freesat-4k-tv-recorder), 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/incabin-monitoring-system) 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: [Guardian](http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/blog/2009/jul/07/japanese-smile-scanning) | [Tech Ticker](http://techtickerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/omron.jpg) | [IO9](http://io9.com/5307512/your-smile-will-be-monitored-to-evaluate-quality-of-service) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sleep-Monitoring Capsule Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ntt-data.md) - [Smart Cashierless Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cashierless-shop.md) - [Smile-Focused Running Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smile-20.md) - [AI Wellness Companions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smileai.md) - [Smile-Reflecting Toothpaste Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freeyoursmile-campaign.md) - [Smiling Package Delivery Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coop-delivery-robot.md) - [Biometric Public Safety Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-safety-and-security.md) - [Real-Time Emotion Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-mood-ring.md) - [Connected Emotive Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/w3e-mask-expressive-emotion.md)