SUCCESS STORY

Figure 1 - Supermicro Servers. Top: SYS-110P, Bottom: SYS-221HE

KODA Digital Avatar (image courtesy of Eviden)

Executive Summary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
KODA’s Wayfinding Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Personalization Through KODA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Operational Impact and Market Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Synergy with Supermicro and NVIDIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Focus on Privacy and Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Plans for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Powering Up Technology Adoption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
For More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

1

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is finding its way into every aspect of
our lives, bolstered by the rapid rise of generative AI following
the release of ChatGPT in 2022. Although the first industries
and businesses to implement AI have been digital, othercompanies are now looking for novel ways to improve theirbusinesses and serve customers using the technology.
According to a 2023 MIT Technology Review Insights survey,
78% of executives agree that scaling AI/ML use cases to createbusiness value is a top priority.1
Eviden – a technology company specializing in data-driven,
trusted, and sustainable digital transformation– is

MIT Technology Review Insights. (2023). The Great Acceleration: CIO Perspectives on Generative AI. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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pioneering an Edge AI solution using both generative and predictive AI that brings this cutting-edge technology to brick-andmortar retailers. KODA is an AI-powered platform designed to revolutionize user interactions through state-of-the-art visual
kiosk technology. The KODA platform is a digital advisor and concierge system that uses generative and predictive AI to assist
customers in retail stores in finding routes to a specific product or giving product recommendations. Customers interact with
KODA just like they would a store employee and can ask questions and receive answers using natural language.
Implementing AI in a physical kiosk such as KODA presents unique challenges to overcome and opportunities for those who can
accomplish it. The first is in bringing an inherently digital experience to a physical setting. Shoppers have become extremely
familiar with e-commerce over the past decade, but the same conveniences found online have not transferred to brick-andmortar retailers. This is one of the goals of the KODA project. The other set of challenges to overcome in such an implementation
are the technical aspects of an Edge AI project. For KODA’s kiosk form factor, these involve considerations like size, weight, andpower (SWaP), remote software management, energy efficiency & network connectivity. These challenges must be tackled to
deploy a solution within the constraints on physical space availability, noise output, and serviceability that arise on a project
like KODA.
Despite these hurdles, KODA exemplifies the transformative potential of Edge AI in creating responsive and personalized user
experiences. At the core of the KODA solution’s operational excellence is a seamless integration of Supermicro's robust
hardware, complemented by the cutting-edge NVIDIA® AI Platform to handle software requirements, all combined thanks to
Eviden’s data science expertise.

KODA’s Wayfinding Capabilities
KODA stands out by transforming the customer experience through personalized, intuitive interactions. This opportunity allows
retailers to offer their customers tailored recommendations and services, thus significantly enhancing the overall customer
journey within various environments. Imagine a customer walking into a grocery store and being greeted by Koda’s digitalavatar on a kiosk. The customer is asked if they have any questions, and when they ask about the beverage aisle, they are
directed to that exact location with a real-time ‘fly over’ of the store layout.
Unlike traditional wayfinding solutions that rely on legacy WIFI or GPS technology, KODA leverages the cutting-edge capabilities
of NVIDIA Omniverse™ to reimagine product-level navigation in three dimensions: X, Y, and Z. This innovative approach not only
eliminates the need for planogram compliance but also enhances the accuracy and efficiency of locating products withincomplex and diverse environments. As seen in Figure 2, the KODA kiosk might be placed near the doors to the store, allowing
customers to interact with the avatar upon entering and receive wayfinding assistance or concierge support.

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Figure 2 - KODA Wayfinding Solutions

As retailers have increasingly replaced personnel with touchscreens and self-checkouts, customers have seen limitations
imposed on their ability to deal with exceptions and questions. KODA bridges this gap by providing more customer andemployee interaction and engagement flexibility.
At the core of KODA's exceptional wayfinding capabilities is its ability to integrate real-time data specific to each environment.
This integration enables KODA to provide customers with immediate, accurate, and personalized directions to their desired
destinations. Whether it's guiding customers to a particular product in a retail store or offering recommendations for new
experiences, KODA's real-time data integration ensures a seamless and intuitive navigation experience. This capability is atestament to KODA's ability to act in the role of a model employee, consistently delivering valuable insights to improve bothcustomer satisfaction and operational efficiency in retail and service settings.

Personalization Through KODA
In today's retail landscape, personalization is not just a preference; it's an expectation. Eviden created KODA with this in mind
so that retailers can easily customize the platform alongside their offerings. From customizing the visual avatar to reflect known
brand ambassadors or characters to accessing customer history for tailored recommendations, KODA ensures that eachinteraction is as unique as the customers themselves. This level of personalization enhances the customer experience, making
every interaction with KODA feel personal and relevant.
Imagine a customer approaching KODA with a question as simple as what to bring to a barbecue. KODA's response goes beyond
mere suggestions; if the customer desires, it can provide a brief roadmap for their journey through the retail space, including
recommendations, store specials, and even beverage pairings. This is further augmented by a QR code that customers can scan
to use Augmented Reality on their phones, guiding them through the aisles to their desired products. Figure 3 shows a few ofthe personalized interactions that are possible with KODA.

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Figure 3 - Personalized Interactions Powered by KODA

To achieve cutting edge personalization, KODA is designed to leverage human factors engineering, a subcategory of psychology.
This approach helps facilitate an intuitive, immersive, and interactive experience. Realism is a core emphasis. This psychologicalapproach to engineering manifests visually in two ways. First, in the 3D digital twin environment of the store, it is generatedusing 3D LIDAR, 2D optical scans, and simulations of lighting of the space. Second, these principles are put into practice on
KODA’s character avatars, which use the latest engines used both in the film and gaming industries. As customers interact with
KODA, they receive real-time responses, eye contact, and natural conversation that make them feel as if KODA is just anotherfriendly person in the room with them.
Eviden has made great efforts to ensure that KODA is designed to interact with our diverse population, meaning the platform isextendable and expansive in its ability to cover diversity in languages, accents, ethnicities, skin tones, body shapes, and sizes,
disabilities, and other physical and personal characteristics. The system is built with the capability to continuously monitor
interactions and to override and correct systematic biases that may occur as a result of some of the AI models that may be used.

Operational Impact and Market Reception
KODA is a unifying platform that brings together diverse partner solutions from cloud to edge technologies. This integration
capability extends across servers, cloud technology, developers, employees, customers, and various infrastructure providers,
facilitating a cohesive ecosystem. Through KODA, Eviden has created a new way to improve the customer experience in retailstores and transit facilities. The system has been well received by grocery chains, convenience stores, campuses, and airports.
The market's response to KODA has been positive, with infrastructure providers particularly excited about the new dimensionsof immersive interactivity that KODA introduces at the edge. This enthusiasm is driven by the potential for increased hardwareand connectivity requirements and the futuristic appeal of KODA's technology. On the other hand, retailers have welcomed theopportunity to elevate their customer service to a "white glove" level, distinguishing their offerings from traditional wayfinding4© 2024 Copyright Super Micro Computer, Inc. All rights reserved

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solutions. The tangible benefits of KODA's deployment, reflected in enhanced customer satisfaction and operational
efficiencies, underscore its value proposition and the transformative impact it has on the market.

Synergy with Supermicro and NVIDIA
The collaboration between Eviden, Supermicro, and NVIDIA has been vital to enhancing KODA's capabilities, particularly interms of performance, reliability, and scalability. This partnership has leveraged the strengths of each entity, with Supermicroproviding the robust hardware infrastructure alongside advanced technologies like the NVIDIA Omniverse platform, which has
been pivotal in redefining wayfinding solutions in three dimensions.
By integrating Supermicro's GPU-based servers, KODA kiosks leverage the power of large language models (LLMs) andreal-time inference, enabling swift, intelligent processing that elevates the quality of customer interactions. " - Jenny
Jacob Senior Vice President & Head of Industry
The KODA platform utilizes two separate Supermicro systems with onboard NVIDIA GPUs. The first is a Supermicro SYS-110P
with an NVIDIA L40 that lives inside the kiosk and handles all of the sentiment analysis (through computer vision), NVIDIA Riva
ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) for response from the LLM, and rendering of the avatar with the help of NVIDIA Audio2Face.
The 110P system is used here because it addresses the size and airflow requirements necessitated from being inside the kiosk.
The second system is a Supermicro Hyper E, SYS-221HE, with dual NVIDIA A6000 Ada GPUs. This system is located outside of thekiosk and is the host for the LLM. Conveniently for retailers, it is possible for multiple KODA-based kiosks to run on this single
external LLM hosting system, aligning with Eviden’s vision that KODA be integrated at points throughout a retail store.

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Products such as KODA, built with Edge AI in mind, require specialized hardware and software for optimal performance.
Supermicro and NVIDIA's collaborative approach provides just that—a comprehensive full-stack solution that integrates CPUs,
GPUs, optimized memory, and the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform, all orchestrated within the resilient infrastructure ofSupermicro's platforms. Real-time video and audio processing, generative AI output, and management of large data sets about
store layouts and products require robust processing capabilities. Similarly, physical hardware must be highly reliable because
these kiosks might be moved, bumped, or spilled on during business hours. Supermicro’s systems provide that resiliency while
also providing energy efficiency, noise reduction, and security in physical locking and digital data protection.

Focus on Privacy and Security
In the era of digital transformation, data privacy and security are paramount, especially for technologies that interact closelywith users, like KODA. Eviden takes these concerns seriously, adopting a robust framework to safeguard user data. KODA is
designed to operate within the strict confines of Europe's stringent privacy laws, setting a high standard for data protection.
The platform's approach to privacy is proactive and preventive; KODA never stores individual data, ensuring that personal
information is not at risk of unauthorized access or misuse.
Eviden, a global leader in cybersecurity, is committed to creating solutions that comply with the General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR) following European regulations. KODA's architecture is built to respect user privacy at every interaction
point. While KODA can be trained to offer personalized services, it does so without directly accessing or storing user data. Thisdistinction is crucial, as it allows KODA to provide tailored recommendations and services based on retail data provided bycustomers for training AI models without compromising individual privacy.
In terms of security, KODA can have a positive impact on the locations where it is situated, thanks to integration with Eviden’s
Ipsotek video surveillance software. This technology can be used in airports or campuses to monitor public safety threats andhelp security teams stay informed. At grocery or convenience stores, KODA’s Ipsotek integration can help loss prevention teams
detect situations that require a response, contributing to real-time prevention of shrinkage.

Plans for the Future
Eviden is at the forefront of the evolving landscape of retail technology, where the integration of digital and physical experiences
is increasingly paramount. The future of retail technology, as envisioned by Eviden, involves a seamless blend of online
convenience and in-store interactivity, where KODA's capabilities in enhancing customer journeys and providing detailed
analytics play a crucial role. Unlike online shopping, where data is readily available by nature, these insights have been lacking
in brick-and-mortar settings. KODA addresses that opportunity by allowing retailers to see how customers are shopping andengaging at scale and in real time.
Looking ahead, Eviden is committed to continuous innovation with KODA, focusing on expanding its realism and functionality
to deliver even more immersive experiences. The roadmap includes enhancements in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality(VR) technologies, offering customers new ways to interact with products and services in a virtual space. Additionally, Eviden
plans to introduce more seamless mobile options, further integrating KODA into the everyday lives of consumers.

Powering Up Technology Adoption

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What should retailers consider when looking to adopt Edge AI solutions like KODA? Eviden suggests starting with a pilot near
the entrance of a store, as it allows customers to engage with the technology from the moment they enter, thereby maximizing
exposure and early adoption benefits. This positioning also facilitates the collection of real-time customer feedback andinteraction data, essential for continuous improvement and customization of the technology to meet specific retail needs. By
implementing KODA at key customer entry points, retailers can quickly demonstrate its value and convenience, encouraging
widespread acceptance and use among their clientele.
For successful integration of digital advisor systems like KODA, it is important to focus on building a solid and focused data
foundation. This foundation should integrate seamlessly with all operational aspects of the retail space and directly address
real customer challenges. Starting with a strong data foundation ensures that the technology enhances the customer
experience and contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of retail operations. Retailers can then expand theimplementation of KODA’s capabilities into other parts of their stores.

Summary
The implementation of Eviden's KODA platform has set a new benchmark in the digital advisor and concierge space, addressing
critical challenges in retail and service environments. Utilizing Edge AI in this way allows retailers to address these challenges
and enhance customer satisfaction, increase sales through personalized recommendations, and improve operational insights.
Whether suggesting a wine pairing for a steak dinner or routing a parent and child to their favorite snack food, KODA’s digitalavatar is available at a moment’s notice with perfect assistance.
This type of real-time inferencing, using generative and predictive AI, would not be possible without Edge AI. Data transmission
costs are too high, and speeds are too slow, resulting in an experience that lags for crucial seconds after every customer query.
By handling processing on-site and securing that data with physical and digital measures, the collaborative Supermicro and
NVIDIA solution makes KODA possible. Furthermore, Supermicro’s flexible range of solutions ensures that retailers utilizing the
KODA platform can scale up their implementation as much as needed. Whatever the requirements, solutions are available toexpand memory, processing power, and storage to meet any situation.
Beyond retail, Edge AI projects hold significant promise in areas such as healthcare, where AI-driven diagnostics and patientmanagement systems can improve care delivery; in manufacturing, where predictive maintenance and quality control canenhance operational efficiency; and in smart cities, where AI can optimize everything from traffic management to public safety.
The possible areas of ROI for businesses implementing Edge AI, powered by Supermicro's hardware and NVIDIA's software,
include reduced operational costs, increased revenue opportunities, and enhanced customer experiences.
The journey of KODA from concept to production underscores the transformative power of Edge AI. As Eviden continues toinnovate and expand KODA's capabilities, the future looks promising for businesses ready to embrace the new capabilities
of AI.

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For More Information
Supermicro Edge AI Solutions - www.supermicro.com/edge-ai
Supermicro SYS-110P - https://www.supermicro.com/en/products/system/iot/1u/sys-110p-frn2t
Supermicro SYS-221HE - https://www.supermicro.com/en/products/system/iot/2u/sys-221he-ftnrd
Eviden Generative AI - https://eviden.com/solutions/generative-ai

SUPERMICRONVIDIAAs a global leader in high performance, high efficiency server technology
and innovation, we develop and provide end-to-end green computing
solutions to the data center, cloud computing, enterprise IT, big data,
HPC, and embedded markets. Our Building Block Solutions® approachallows us to provide a broad range of SKUs, and enables us to build anddeliver application-optimized solutions based upon your requirements.
More information at https://supermicro.com

Since its founding in 1993, NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been a pioneer inaccelerated computing. The company’s invention of the GPU in 1999
sparked the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined computer
graphics, ignited the era of modern AI and is fueling industrial
digitalization across markets. NVIDIA is now a full-stack computing
company with data-center-scale offerings that are reshaping industry.
More information at https://nvidianews.nvidia.com.

EVIDEN
Eviden is a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted andsustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented
technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing,security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for allindustries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 53,000 world-classtalents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology acrossthe digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Moreinformation at https://eviden.com.

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