New technology lets bionic mannequins secretly spy on shoppers

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ^ | Wednesday, November 21, 2012, 10:05 AM | By Rheana Murray /

[BenLurkin]

Fashion stores are using bionic mannequins equipped with police-grade technology to spy on shoppers. The $5,000 dummies, called EyeSee, use facial recognition software as a noninvasive way to extract data from customers who walk by, including roundabout age, race and gender, Bloomberg.com reported.

A tiny camera embedded in one of the mannequin’s eyes records the information.

The info can be used to help stores cater to their customer base. For example, one store that learned many of its afternoon visitors were kids introduced a children’s line to boost sales. Another that learned many of its customers were Asian opted to put Chinese-speaking employees near the entrance, according to the website.

Although the mannequins only record information — not photographs — creeped-out shoppers voiced concern online.

[Morgana]

I was hoping to crack a smile! :)

[Chode]

true, and it IS funny, but... unless it's at Victoria's Secret, i'm sure there will be more than a few mothers not wanting to have to explain that to their children, specially the boys 8^)

[Teacher317]

There are cameras in almost every store and gas station and bank in America. Exactly how is this any different?

[null and void]

That’s true, they don’t have children’s sizes at Victoria’s Secret...

[null and void]

...or so I’m told.

[JoeProBono]

[Chode]

if they don't, it won't be long before they do...

[Bob]

There are cameras in almost every store and gas station and bank in America. Exactly how is this any different?

The facial recognition software categorizing customers.

[blueunicorn6]

I saw one of those mannequins at a mall. I pushed a cart of puppies from the pet store in front of it. Next time I was at the mall, that store was handing out free milk bones. They’re not bad if you dip them in coffee.