英公司發明排隊神器 App uses infrared sensors to help you pick the fastest line

When you're out shopping it can sometimes feel like you're always stuck at the end of the longest line.

外出購物，總免不了碰上排隊這個老大難問題：長長的隊伍似乎總排不完。

Shoppers know this age-old dilemma all to well - do you stick to your guns with the queue you're in? Or do you gamble on another queue and risk it all in the hope of gaining More ground?

不少人或許深有體會：身在隊中，內心無比掙扎，究竟是一鼓作氣排到底？還是換條隊伍試試運氣呢？

Now, a system called ZipLine is promising to help shoppers win that battle every time, by using infrared sensors to help them to pick the fastest queue.

近來，一款名爲ZipLine的軟件橫空出世，號稱屢試不爽的排隊神器。其內置的紅外感應器可迅速識別最快的隊伍。

The technology, developed by Cambridge Consultants looks at the length of queues and how fast they are moving to work out which is the best one to join.

這款軟件由劍橋科技諮詢公司打造，能夠識別隊伍長度與移動速度，從而爲用戶推薦最省時的隊伍。

Launched this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the concept combines the sensors with a long-range, low-power radio network.

本週，消費電子產品展在拉斯維加斯開幕，這款內置感應器與遠程低功率無線電系統的概念產品驚豔亮相。

Algorithms then convert the sensor data into useful information which can be displayed on a shopper's phone.

通過科學計算，感應器的數據可轉化爲實用信息，並傳送到用戶的手機上。

The firm behind ZipLine claims there are no privacy issues around the data it captures, as it does not obtain any identifiable data from customers.

劍橋科技稱，此款應用並不會收集客戶的身份信息，因此不必擔心隱私問題。

According to Cambridge Consultants, it is also different from existing queue monitoring systems as it can handle queues that are not all in the same place.

另外，ZipLine與已有的排隊應用不同，它甚至可以同時監控不同場所的排隊實況。

The long-range radio system works over a number of miles and the technology could combine queue information from multiple outlets.

ZipLine內置的遠程無線電系統覆蓋極廣，能夠收集並統計多個地點的隊伍信息。

The system is still being developed, but the firm told MailOnline it is reportedly in talks with retailers about using the technology.

目前，此應用尚處試驗階段，但劍橋科技向《每日郵報》網站透露，公司正與各大零售商積極磋商，推廣使用。

In practice, this could mean you could check what the queues are like at your favourite chain of coffee shops, and it would tell you the fastest place to get your coffee – which could be slightly further away, but with a much reduced waiting time.

舉個例子，去買咖啡前，你可以打開ZipLine查閱咖啡店排隊的實時信息，軟件還會告訴你想盡快買到咖啡該去哪家分店——有時候，你或許得多走幾步路，但卻免了不少排隊時間。

Tim Ensor, head of connected devices at Cambridge Consultants, said: 'In the increasingly competitive retail sector, technology can be a crucial differentiator.

劍橋科技設備連接部主管蒂姆·恩索爾表示：“零售商之間的競爭日益激烈，爲了吸引客戶，科技或成祕密武器。”

'Our ZipLine concept aims to show how taking a service design approach to a problem can give a retailer vital competitive edge by transforming the customer experience.

“Zipline針對現有問題，幫助商家改善服務，提升客戶體驗，增強品牌競爭力。這也是我們設計ZipLine的初衷。”

'In this example, we're analysing some complex sensor data – and turning it into intelligent information that can be shared with customers in a simple but meaningful way.

“在打造ZipLine的過程中，我們需要分析各種複雜的感應器數據，並將其轉化爲有用的信息，讓客戶能一目瞭然，心知肚明。”

'Yet it has the potential to remove a major source of frustration for shoppers.'

“如此一來，用戶就不必爲排隊而發愁了。”

Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Ensor said: 'We expect the ZipLine interface will be integrated into the department store's own app.

恩索爾還告訴《每日郵報》網站：“我們希望商家能把ZipLine界面納入它們自己的購物應用中。”

'That usually means it is free to download.

“也就是說，你可以免費下載，免費使用。”

'We're also looking at the option of using Bluetooth beacon technology which could offer the queue length information to consumers on their phone without needing to use an app at all.

“我們也在嘗試使用藍牙發射技術。如此一來，用戶無需打開手機應用，也能收到隊伍的實時信息。”

'Most of the premium department stores and shopping malls are already installing equipment in their stores to boost mobile phone signal because this is generally becoming expected by consumers.

“應廣大顧客需要，多數高檔百貨公司與購物商場已紛紛開始安裝手機信號增強器。”

'This will also mean that the app will have access to the internet when it needs it to help consumers get the best check-out experience.'

“也就是說，顧客能夠聯網使用ZipLine，決定自己想排的隊伍。”