英公司发明排队神器

When you're out shopping it can sometimes feel like you're always stuck at the end of the longest line.

外出购物，总免不了碰上排队这个老大难问题：长长的队伍似乎总排不完。

Shoppers know this age-old dilemma all to well - do you stick to your guns with the queue you're in? Or do you gamble on another queue and risk it all in the hope of gaining more ground?

不少人或许深有体会：身在队中，内心无比挣扎，究竟是一鼓作气排到底？还是换条队伍试试运气呢？

Now, a system called ZipLine is promising to help shoppers win that battle every time, by using infrared sensors to help them to pick the fastest queue.

近来，一款名为ZipLine的软件横空出世，号称屡试不爽的排队神器。其内置的红外感应器可迅速识别最快的队伍。

The technology, developed by Cambridge Consultants looks at the length of queues and how fast they are moving to work out which is the best one to join.

这款软件由剑桥科技咨询公司打造，能够识别队伍长度与移动速度，从而为用户推荐最省时的队伍。

Launched this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the concept combines the sensors with a long-range, low-power radio network.

本周，消费电子产品展在拉斯维加斯开幕，这款内置感应器与远程低功率无线电系统的概念产品惊艳亮相。

Algorithms then convert the sensor data into useful information which can be displayed on a shopper's phone.

通过科学计算，感应器的数据可转化为实用信息，并传送到用户的手机上。

The firm behind ZipLine claims there are no privacy issues around the data it captures, as it does not obtain any identifiable data from customers.

剑桥科技称，此款应用并不会收集客户的身份信息，因此不必担心隐私问题。

According to Cambridge Consultants, it is also different from existing queue monitoring systems as it can handle queues that are not all in the same place.

另外，ZipLine与已有的排队应用不同，它甚至可以同时监控不同场所的排队实况。

The long-range radio system works over a number of miles and the technology could combine queue information from multiple outlets.

ZipLine内置的远程无线电系统覆盖极广，能够收集并统计多个地点的队伍信息。

The system is still being developed, but the firm told MailOnline it is reportedly in talks with retailers about using the technology.

目前，此应用尚处试验阶段，但剑桥科技向《每日邮报》网站透露，公司正与各大零售商积极磋商，推广使用。

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。”