# Grabango's Ryan Smith | Machine Vision, IoT, and the Future of Retail

- Show: [IoT For All Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast)
- Published: 2020-08-10
- Length: 30m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iot-for-all/episodes/Grabangos-Ryan-Smith--Machine-Vision--IoT--and-the-Future-of-Retail-e28bmpk

## Summary

Ryan Smith, CTO of Grabango, explains how the company uses machine vision and IoT to create checkout-free grocery stores by deploying cameras and edge computing to generate virtual baskets. He details the technical challenges of handling thousands of SKUs and dynamic packaging on existing store shelves without requiring infrastructure changes. Smith also discusses the business case for retailers, focusing on reducing shrinkage, optimizing inventory, and improving labor efficiency rather than eliminating jobs.

## Chapters

- [0:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=59) Introduction: Ryan Smith and Grabango's Background
- [2:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=158) Grabango's Checkout-Free Technology and Virtual Baskets
- [4:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=249) Technical Architecture: Cameras, Edge Computing, and Neural Networks
- [5:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=351) Retail Benefits: Inventory Planning and Store Layout Optimization
- [7:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=446) IoT Evolution: Cloud Management and Edge Processing
- [11:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=702) User Experience and Theft Prevention via Computer Vision
- [14:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=884) Retailer ROI: Frictionless Checkout and Labor Efficiency
- [17:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=1027) The Future of Computer Vision and Digital Twins
- [19:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-08-10-grabangos-ryan-smith-machine-vision-iot-and-the-future-of-retail#t=1185) Deployment Challenges: Handling Dynamic SKUs and Packaging

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Grabango (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Whole Foods (product)
- Coca-Cola (product)
- Wheaties (product)

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- [#226 - Hungryroot 101: Launch Your Brand & Master Smart Cart Shopping](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-12-09-226-hungryroot-101-launch-your-brand-master-smart-cart-shopping) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Custom Machine Vision & Robotics Solutions w/ Jonathan Berte](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-04-27-custom-machine-vision-robotics-solutions-w-jonathan-berte) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [#98 Reimagining Grocery Shopping: Instacart's AI-Powered Future with ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-07-11-98-reimagining-grocery-shopping-instacarts-ai-powered-future-with-chatgpt-and-ar) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Implementing Tech into Fresh-Food Vending Machines with Arne Saupe, VP of Technology at Farmer’s Fridge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2023-03-30-implementing-tech-into-fresh-food-vending-machines-with-arne-saupe-vp-of-technol) (Over the Air)

## Citing this page

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