Intel Partners with Cloudpick to Demo 5G‑Powered Autonomous Pop‑Up Store at MWC 2019

Customer Requirements

At Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Intel showcased how 5G technology is transforming retail. The company brought together partners to demonstrate what the future of shopping could look like – frictionless, autonomous, and entirely mobile.

Traditional retail faces well‑known challenges: long queues, high staffing costs, limited locations, and fixed infrastructure. For event‑based or temporary retail scenarios – such as music festivals, conferences, or pop‑up shops – these limitations are even more pronounced. Organizers need solutions that can be deployed quickly, operated without staff, and deliver a seamless customer experience.

Intel wanted to show how 5G connectivity combined with AI and computer vision could enable a new kind of retail – one that could be set up virtually anywhere, with zero checkout friction for consumers and significantly reduced operating costs for retailers.

Cloudpick Solution

At the Intel booth, Cloudpick’s technology was featured as a key part of the retail super demo. The demonstration showcased an autonomous pop‑up shopping experience powered by artificial intelligence, computer vision, and Intel’s 5G technology.

How it worked:

• Entry: Users scanned into the store using a mobile application.

• Shopping: AI‑paired computer vision tracked every item picked up.

• Exit: Customers simply walked out and were automatically charged for the items they took – no wallet, no purse, no lines.

“Really slick, very frictionless experience for the consumer,” the on‑site demo presenter noted. “Don’t even need to take their wallet or purse out of their pocket. No lines. Fantastic for the retailer – significantly reduced operating costs. In fact, this can be a fully staff‑free solution.”

With 5G, Intel demonstrated that such a store could be deployed virtually anywhere – a music festival, a conference, or even a temporary event like MWC itself. The technology was also shown to integrate with a smart kiosk that could sense emotions to tailor recommendations and enhance the shopping experience.

Result

The demonstration at MWC 2019 was a resounding success, drawing significant attention from attendees and media. It clearly illustrated how 5G + AI + computer vision can revolutionize retail – making it more flexible, cost‑efficient, and consumer‑friendly.

Key takeaways:

• Anywhere deployment: With 5G, autonomous stores can be set up in temporary or remote locations – events, festivals, conferences – without the need for permanent infrastructure.

• Zero friction: Consumers enjoy a seamless experience – no scanning, no queuing, no wallet required.

• Cost reduction: Retailers can significantly cut operating costs, with the potential for fully staff‑free operations.

• Scalable model: The technology can extend beyond pop‑ups to permanent retail environments.

At NRF 2019 (Retail’s Big Show), Intel also showcased Cloudpick’s camera vision technology. In a telling demonstration, the team noted: “We’ve tried to fake the system, to cheat – we haven’t been able to.” This highlighted the system’s reliability and accuracy, even under attempted fraud.

Customer Testimonial

Paul Billings, speaking at Mobile World Congress on Intel’s behalf, said:

“With the power of 5G on the cloud, you can now take your store on the go. This is where you no longer have to have a brick‑and‑mortar store. We’re showcasing how Intel has been a leader when it comes to shaping the future of 5G technology – and retail is one of three key industries where we’re showing the real impact.”

Video

To see the Intel and Cloudpick autonomous store demo in action, watch the video below:

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/4xyM114mgQ8?si=lKVgwFMiWixq3h5T
https://youtu.be/Ueg-vcd_Dm0?si=6_iWjasTQlA9AR57
https://youtu.be/LbPYX-0kZHs?si=r6AVDpg4uvuKUH0z