UK supermarkets plan facial recognition trials.

Asda, Morrisons and Tesco are in the frame for a facial recognition technology trial at the checkout desk, to enable customers to buy beer and cigarettes, without requiring the intervention of shop staff.

The technology will be rolled out at self-service checkouts in 2019 and, if successful, trialled more widely.

The pilot project is being led by NCR, one of the worlds largest providers of checkout and self-service technology. Its UK customers include Asda, Morrisons and Tesco. The company will integrate what it describes as an AI-powered camera into the machines, which will be used to estimate the age of shoppers when they buy age restricted items.

The aim, of course, is to reduce the need for staff intervention in sales of age-restricted items.

Robin Tombs, CEO of digital identity app Yoti, which partnered with NCR on the scheme, told The Telegraph: Waiting for age approval at self-checkouts is a source of frustration for many shoppers, who just want to get home as quickly as possible.

Our integration with NCR delivers a frictionless and innovative way for customers to prove their age in seconds. It is a simple process that helps retailers meet the requirements of regulators worldwide.

Tombs added that the facial recognition system would not retain any visual information about the shoppers, post-purchase. However, regulars will be able to expedite the purchasing process by uploading their mugshots and providing a form of identity in order to use the Yoti app.