AlmaScience launches PaperWeight AI to transform retail sector
AlmaScience has just launched PaperWeight AI, an innovative spin-off specialising in advanced technology for the retail sector. It leverages paper sensor technology to transform traditional retail operations and offer real-time data analysis solutions for better inventory management, waste reduction, theft detection, and increased operational efficiency.
The technology has attracted significant interest from both national and international companies and is already being tested in Portugal. The new company enters the smart retail market , that was valued at USD 30 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29% until 2030.
Incubated in AlmaScience, a Collaborative Laboratory (CoLab) within Portugal's innovation ecosystem, PaperWeight AI marks a milestone in the lab's mission to convert research into viable economic solutions. In addition to sensors, the system integrates AI algorithms to detect weight, pressure, and touch in real-time. This provides retailers with real-time data on stock levels, theft detection, and planogram nonconformities, without expensive cameras or load sensors.
Key benefits include:
- Low cost and easy to install: PaperWeight AI technology can be retrofitted to existing shelves in minutes, without the need for downtime or extensive calibration processes. Its paper-based sensors are affordable, making it scalable for small and large retailers.
- Real-time inventory monitoring: The system provides instant feedback on stock availability and discrepancies, allowing staff to efficiently manage stock levels and respond to out-of-stock or theft situations in real time.
- Low operating costs: Unlike cameras or payload sensors, which require ongoing maintenance and calibration, the paper-based sensors have minimal maintenance, reducing operating costs.
- Sustainable from production to end of life: Made almost entirely from paper, the manufacturing and disposal is safe for the environment.
Aligned with the EU Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals, AlmaScience leverages research and innovation to create tangible economic value while focusing on sustainable and innovative technology to ensures that its solutions meet both environmental and commercial needs.
Driving innovation and qualified employment in Portugal
Carlos Silva, President of AlmaScience, comments: " By bridging the gap between advanced technology and practical application, we're not just developing eco-friendly solutions – we're reshaping industries and contributing to Portugal's position as a leader in sustainable innovation." Yoni Engel, CEO and co-founder of PaperWeight AI, adds: "We're proud to carry forward AlmaScience's vision of sustainability and innovation, bringing to market smart, paper-based sensor technology that addresses critical challenges in retail operations. PaperWeight AI is poised to deliver substantial value to businesses while contributing to a more sustainable future."
The creation of PaperWeight AI marks a crucial step in advancing Portugal's role in Industry 4.0 and the global transition to sustainable practices. This spin-off is set to create numerous qualified jobs in high-tech sectors, contributing to the relocation of workers to value-added tasks and enhancing Portugal's competitive edge in the global innovation landscape.
About AlmaScience
AlmaScience is a leading collaborative innovation lab and technology incubator focused on developing sustainable functional materials and green electronics. Leveraged by the combination of scientific knowledge from academic associates and business-driven challenges posed by our business associates, it nurtures early-stage technologies from concept to commercialisation, driving both economic success and environmental responsibility. As a CoLab, AlmaScience continues transform scientific research into economic solutions that contribute to a more sutainability.
About PaperWeight AI
PaperWeight AI, a Portuguese-based spin-off of AlmaScience CoLab, offers a paper-based shelf event-sensing system powered by AI. Designed for effortless installation, the solution provides retailers with advanced data analytics and real-time insights to enhance operational efficiency and minimise losses. Tackling critical retail challenges such as inventory management and theft detection, it delivers a cost-effective solution that can operate independently or integrate seamlessly with existing vision systems
Source: AlmaScience
Caption: With the help of AI and paper-based technology the retail sector can expect significant improvements through real-time tracking and management (Image: AlmaScience).