EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
ISSN: 2750-8587
VOLUME04 ISSUE11
26
SMART SHOPPING ASSISTANTS: HOW GUIDE ROBOTS IMPROVE CUSTOMER
EXPERIENCE IN LARGE MALLS
Chorshanbieva Sarvinoz Berdimurod Kizi
Department of Software Engineering, 4th-Year Student in Software Engineering (Computer Science),
Shopping Guide Robot System, University of Chonnam national university, South Korea
AB O U T ART I CL E
Key words:
Shopping Guide Robot, Real-Time
Navigation, Personalized Service, Multilingual
Support, Autonomous Navigation, Customer
Experience, Smart Retail, Route Guidance, AI
Robotics, Shopping Mall Technology.
Received:
03.11.2024
Accepted
: 08.11.2024
Published
: 13.11.2024
Abstract:
The Shopping Guide Robot System is a
cutting-edge solution designed to enhance the
customer experience in large shopping malls and
commercial spaces. This system provides real-
time route guidance to help customers quickly
locate their desired stores by calculating the
shortest
path.
It
offers
personalized
recommendations based on customer profiles,
adjusts dynamically to environmental changes,
and supports multilingual communication to cater
to diverse clientele. The robot not only guides
users to their destinations but also answers
inquiries
about
mall
events,
discounts,
restaurants, and other services. Through
advanced autonomous navigation technology, the
system ensures a safe and efficient shopping
experience, making it an invaluable tool in modern
retail environments.
INTRODUCTION
1. Project Design
The shopping guide robot system is an innovative solution that helps customers quickly and easily find
the stores they want in large shopping malls or complex commercial spaces. This system can greatly
enhance user experience and offers the following features and advantages:
1.
Real-Time Route Guidance
VOLUME04 ISSUE11
https://doi.org/10.55640/eijmrms-04-11-05
Pages: 26-32
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
ISSN: 2750-8587
VOLUME04 ISSUE11
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a.
The robot can guide users from their current location to the desired store via the shortest route
in real-time.
b.
When a customer selects their preferred store through a touchscreen or voice recognition, the
robot displays the route or accompanies the customer.
2.
Convenience in Large Stores
a.
In large shopping malls with numerous stores, finding a specific store can be challenging. The
robot solves this issue by ensuring customers reach their destinations quickly without getting lost. In
multi-story malls, it can guide customers to elevators or escalators and then present the next segment
of the route.
3.
Personalized Service
a.
The robot can provide shopping recommendations tailored to the customer's profile. For
example, if a customer is looking for clothing of a specific style, the robot can suggest relevant stores or
inform them of special discounts.
b.
It can also recommend stores or products based on the customer’s shopping history.
4.
Dynamic Route Navigation in Complex Spaces
a.
The robot detects changes in the mall environment (e.g., crowded areas, temporarily closed
sections) and adjusts its route accordingly.
b.
Using autonomous driving technology, the robot avoids obstacles (such as people or furniture)
and guides the customer safely.
5.
Multilingual Support
a.
To cater to customers from various nationalities visiting the mall, the robot provides guidance
in multiple languages, such as Korean, English, and Chinese, allowing seamless service without language
barriers.
6.
Interactivity
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
ISSN: 2750-8587
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a.
The robot offers various information within the mall, not just route guidance. It answers
customers’ questions about events, discounts, recommended restaurants, and locations of facilities in
real time.
7.
Convenient Additional Services
a.
The robot allows customers to place orders or even proceed with payments directly.
b.
For example, if a customer has pre-purchased a product online, the robot can guide them to the
store holding the product or direct them to the pickup location.
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
ISSN: 2750-8587
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2. Web Implementation and Use of Bridge Technology
1.
Web Interface for Store Information
: A web interface is developed to display store
information, and Bridge technology is used to enable communication between the web server and the
robot.
2.
Communication Between Robots
: When robots are jointly operating in separate zones, they
can recognize each other’s location and coordinate movements.
3.
In-depth Testing
: Testing is conducted to ensure that the robot stops accurately at designated
locations in malls and underground spaces, and correctly detects obstacles.
3. Characteristics of the Online Shopping Market
The online shopping market is growing rapidly and offers a wide range of features. Key characteristics
include:
1.
Convenience and Accessibility
a.
Online shopping allows customers to purchase items anytime and anywhere. With a smartphone
or computer, shopping is accessible anytime, making it highly convenient.
2.
Wide Range of Product Categories
a.
Virtually any category of products can be purchased online, such as clothing, electronics,
appliances, and groceries, with high demand particularly for everyday items, fashion, electronics, and
cosmetics.
3.
Price Competitiveness
a.
Since operating costs are lower than physical stores, online shopping malls often offer products
at a relatively lower price. Promotions like discount coupons, events, and membership benefits allow
consumers to buy products at even cheaper rates.
4.
Personalized Recommendations
a.
Based on big data and artificial intelligence, personalized product recommendations enhance the
shopping experience and increase customer satisfaction.
5.
Advancements in Delivery Services
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
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ISSN: 2750-8587
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a.
Quick and accurate delivery services, such as same-day, early-morning, and rocket delivery,
continue to set higher standards. New logistics innovations, like drone delivery and unmanned vehicle
delivery, are also being explored.
6.
Reviews and Consumer Feedback
a.
Reviews and ratings provide valuable insights into product quality and reliability, helping
consumers make informed purchase decisions.
7.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Consumption Trends
a.
As environmental concerns rise, demand for eco-friendly products and sustainable consumption
grows. Online stores respond with practices like reduced packaging, reusable packaging, and carbon-
neutral delivery services.
8.
Increase in Mobile Shopping
a.
Mobile shopping has become mainstream, with the spread of mobile payment systems boosting
convenience. Online stores are focusing more on mobile user experience due to the increasing share of
purchases through mobile apps.
9.
Globalization
a.
Online shopping enables worldwide purchases. The activation of cross-border shopping markets
makes it easier for consumers to access brands and products from different countries
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
ISSN: 2750-8587
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Convenience and Challenges in Shopping Guide Systems
Benefits:
1.
Fast Search and Navigation
: Customers can find desired products quickly by entering
keywords in the search bar. Filtering by price, brand, and category further refines the search, saving
time.
2.
Personalized Recommendations
: Using AI and customer data, the system suggests products
that may interest the customer, preventing them from missing out on relevant items.
3.
Customer Reviews and Ratings
: Customer reviews help assess product quality, improving
purchase decisions. Popular items with high ratings are often perceived as more trustworthy.
4.
Convenient Payment Options
: Mobile payments, credit cards, and e-wallets streamline
checkout, with saved payment details reducing repetitive data entry.
5.
Real-Time Inventory and Fast Delivery
: Online shopping systems allow customers to check
stock in real-time and choose delivery options, including same-day and early-morning services.
6.
Comparison Shopping
: Customers can compare the same products from different sellers to find
better prices and deals.
Challenges:
1.
Excessive Ads and Recommendations
: Overloaded with ads and irrelevant recommendations,
the system may confuse customers and hinder their shopping experience.
2.
Privacy Concerns
: Personalized recommendations are based on customer data, raising privacy
concerns as some consumers worry about data misuse.
3.
Inaccurate Recommendations and Filtering
: Occasionally, the system may recommend
irrelevant items or fail to filter products accurately.
4.
Complex User Interface (UI)
: Some systems may have complex menus or non-intuitive designs,
frustrating users who struggle to find necessary information.
5.
Review Reliability
: Some reviews may be biased or promotional, leading to misleading
information about product quality.
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
ISSN: 2750-8587
VOLUME04 ISSUE11
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6.
Delivery Issues
: Delays, incorrect shipments, or damaged goods are common problems,
sometimes caused by unexpected factors, affecting the customer experience.
CONCLUSION
While shopping guide systems offer many conveniences, there are still challenges to overcome.
Personalized recommendations, convenient payment, and fast delivery provide significant benefits to
consumers, yet issues like excessive advertising, privacy concerns, and review reliability need to be
addressed.
This study analyzed and suggested improvements for the efficiency of a shopping guide system that
utilizes mobile robots. Although existing path planning algorithms offer optimal paths, issues such as
proximity to obstacles limit practicality. Enhancing these algorithms will allow the robot to navigate
safely without getting too close to obstacles. Additionally, improvements were made to the robot’s
location estimation algorithm, especially in environments like hallways, to provide stable guidance
paths.
This study demonstrates that a robot-based navigation system in shopping mall environments can
effectively improve the customer experience.
REFERENCES
1.
Shopping Guide System Overview Video
