Revolutionizing Small-Scale Retail: Introducing an Intelligent IoT-based Scale for Efficient Fruits and Vegetables Shops
Authors: Zargham Abdullah , Haq Ihtisham Ul , Alshloul Tamara , Riaz Samad , Husnain Ghassan , Assam Muhammad , Ghadi Yazeed Yasin , Mohamed Heba G. 
Published: July 2023

In the bustling streets of Pakistan, small-scale fruits and vegetables shops stand as vital hubs of daily life. These humble establishments are where people flock to satisfy their everyday needs. However, the traditional methods employed by shopkeepers using manual weighing scales have proven to be time-consuming and limit the shopkeepers’ ability to serve multiple customers simultaneously. But in a world rapidly embracing automation and propelled by the wonders of artificial intelligence, a revolution is underway. In this visionary paper, we introduce the concept of an intelligent scale that will revolutionize the retail process. This remarkable scale possesses the power to automate numerous tasks, making the shopping experience seamless and efficient. Imagine a scale that not only determines the weight of the produce but also possesses the ability to detect and identify each fruit and vegetable placed upon it. By harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technology, we fine-tuned pre-trained models, such as YOLOv5n and YOLOv7, on our extensive dataset, consisting of 12 classes and 2622 images. The dataset was collected manually and it closely aligns with real-time scenarios, ensuring that the distribution in our training and validation sets were similar and that it reflected what our models will encounter during testing. As a result, our YOLOv5n and YOLOv7 models have achieved astonishing mean Average Precision (mAP) scores of 0.98 and 0.987, respectively. YOLOv5n demonstrates an impressive processing speed of 20 frames per second (fps) on a CPU, while it reaches an impressive 125 fps on a GPU. Similarly, YOLOv7 achieves a processing speed of 2 fps on a CPU, which escalates to 66.6 fps on a GPU. These extraordinary results testify to the remarkable accuracy and efficacy of our system when subjected to real-world testing scenarios. To ensure accurate weighing, we incorporated a load cell with an hx711 amplifier, providing precise measurements that customers can trust. However, our intelligent scale does not stop there. We understand that determining weight alone is insufficient when it comes to transactions. Hence, a meticulously crafted Python script was developed to map each specific item to its corresponding price based on its weight. With all these incredible features in place, the experience of purchasing from a fruits and vegetables shop is taken to new heights. The intelligent scale is accompanied by a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI), where customers can conveniently view their order and prices. Once the order is complete, a simple click on the print button generates a neatly printed bill, ensuring a seamless transaction. The implications of this intelligent scale are profound. Shopkeepers can now serve customers faster and more efficiently, effortlessly managing multiple transactions simultaneously. The introduction of automation enhances the overall shopping experience, leaving customers delighted and eager to return. This amalgamation of technology and traditional commerce heralds a new era, where small-scale shops can thrive and adapt to the ever-evolving needs of the modern world.