KFC in China Trials System Where You Smile to Pay
Paying for your fast food in China has never been easier — all you have to do is smile.
Alipay, the payment system of Chinese internet giant Alibaba, has introduced a facial payment system to a KFC restaurant in Hangzhou. The Smile to Pay technology recognizes the face of the consumer with facial scanning and a 3D camera.
Once the identity is checked by the camera, the user enters their mobile phone number to protect against fraud. The company behind the technology, Ant Financial, which is a subsidiary of Alibaba, said it takes around two seconds for the system to recognize a face.
“Taking the facial-recognition payment technology offline was no easy task,” said Jidong Chen, head of biometric identification technology at Ant Financial in a YouTube video. “On how we detect when someone’s photo is being manipulated when someone is falsely impersonating another person — we prevent this by merging software and hardware by linking sophisticated algorithms with the 3D camera. We can prevent biometric spoofing.”
The video explains the process of how payment works, and shows how different looks don’t impede the identification process. A woman wearing light make-up, heavy make-up, and wigs is shown being accurately recognized each time.
The KFC store where the Smile to Pay technology has been introduced is the healthier version of the chain called K Pro, which sells salads, paninis, and juices rather than the usual fried chicken.
Ant Financial also said that the algorithm used to identify people can detect shadows and other features to test if the person is real, rather than a photo or video being used to trick the system.
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>
All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
