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.
举个例子,去买咖啡前,你可以打开ZipLine查阅咖啡店排队的实时信息,软件还会告诉你想尽快买到咖啡该去哪家分店——有时候,你或许得多走几步路,但却免了不少排队时间.
Tim Ensor, head of connected devices at Cambridge Consultants, said: 'In the increasingly competitive retail sector, technology can be a crucial differentiator.
剑桥科技设备连接部主管蒂姆·恩索尔表示："零售商之间的竞争日益激烈,为了吸引客户,科技或成秘密武器."
'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针对现有问题,帮助商家改善服务,提升客户体验,增强品牌竞争力.这也是我们设计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的过程中,我们需要分析各种复杂的感应器数据,并将其转化为有用的信息,让客户能一目了然,心知肚明."
'Yet it has the potential to remove a major source of frustration for shoppers.'
"如此一来,用户就不必为排队而发愁了."
Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Ensor said: 'We expect the ZipLine interface will be integrated into the department store's own app.
恩索尔还告诉《每日邮报》网站："我们希望商家能把ZipLine界面纳入它们自己的购物应用中."
'That usually means it is free to download.
"也就是说,你可以免费下载,免费使用."
'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.
"我们也在尝试使用蓝牙发射技术.如此一来,用户无需打开手机应用,也能收到队伍的实时信息."
'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.
"应广大顾客需要,多数高档百货公司与购物商场已纷纷开始安装手机信号增强器."
'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.'
"也就是说,顾客能够联网使用ZipLine,决定自己想排的队伍."
