Strategic impact: innovation and convenience at national scale
One of the leading players in the Brazilian gas distribution market chose Grupo Supero to lead a pioneering retail project: self-service points where consumers can exchange gas cylinders autonomously, safely and 24 hours a day.
The challenge: keeping control in unattended operations
Moving to self-service for utility products raises security and stock management challenges. Without an attendant, the operation needed a layer of intelligence able to mitigate risks such as:
- Collection inconsistencies. Preventing customers from taking more products than they paid for.
- Capacity identification (SKUs). Automatically telling 5 kg, 8 kg and 13 kg cylinders apart to keep each transaction compliant.
- Exchange validation. Checking that the returned cylinder meets the business rules before releasing a new one.
- Real-time traceability. Keeping full control over every physical movement inside the self-service kiosk.
The solution: high-precision sensing with LiDAR
The solution combines LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology with artificial intelligence models for spatial stock monitoring.
3D mapping and infrared vision
Unlike systems based on ordinary cameras, the LiDAR sensor uses pulses of infrared light to map its surroundings. The system recognises objects and movements with millimetre precision regardless of lighting, outdoors or in the dark.
Inventory intelligence and automatic validation
Algorithms interpret sensor data in real time to identify exactly which cylinder was moved. The system checks that the item taken matches the SKU paid for and only unlocks the exit door once compliance is confirmed, linking the hardware to the company’s financial flow.