Spanish banking group BBVA is testing a new payment systems based on biometric technologies at its inhouse cafeteria to make checkouts and payments invisible.
The new mobile application uses a facial recognition system to automatically charge user’s credit cards.
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Meant to promote frictionless payments, the app has been designed in collaboration with BBVA’s restaurant partner Sodexo Iberia, while the facial recognition is based on a technology from Veridas, a joint venture between the bank and Das-Nano.
The app eliminates the need for checkout and manual bill payment. Customers have to register and put in their credit card details in the app only once and the bill amount will be automatically deducted each time they visit cafeterias and restaurants at Ciudad BBVA.
The system uses machine learning algorithms to identify both the faces of users and products on the tray and charges the card associated with the customer’s profile.
The app additionally allows sharing of payment with other users, and provides option for table reservation in order to cut down waiting time.
BBVA head of global payments Ignacio Bañón said: “With this project, we’re eliminating the friction points for customers when they make a purchase in a store. They avoid lines, and have a more digital experience with better information.”
