【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. rarely / ˈrɛər li / (adv.) – not often
Example: People rarely visit the store.
2. packed / pækt / (adj.) – full of something
Example: The band’s concert was packed with people.
3. beacon / ˈbi kən / (n.) – a location-detecting device attached to someone or something
Example: The policemen attached a beacon to the criminal’s vehicle to track his location.
4. high-tech / ˈhaɪˈtɛk / (adj.) – refers to something that uses advance science
Example: Japan has become one of the leaders in producing high-tech gadgets.
5. optimize / ˈɒp təˌmaɪz /(v.) – to make something as effective as it can be
Example: The restaurant encourages all of its branches to optimize their services to attract more customers.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
A Tokyo-based application software developer and marketer introduced an indoor position-sensing technology that can analyze people’s movement inside a store.
Fujitsu Advanced Engineering Limited has announced the launching of SPATIOWL People Flow Analysis Service in mid-January this year. This new technology uses location information to obtain helpful insights, such as areas in a store that customers rarely visit, and certain periods during the year that a store most likely gets packed with people.
Fujitsu has developed the technology to address the growing demand from many retailers to a more effective and efficient system that can analyze customers’ movement patterns inside a store. The new system uses tiny beacons and other high-tech sensing devices.
This advanced store-pattern detector serves two purposes—it uses data to improve store operations, and it includes a comprehensive service support from Fujitsu. It works by placing beacons throughout the store. They can be placed on shopping baskets or trolleys. The signals from the beacons are sent to receivers in the store converting them into information that shows a customer or staff’s location in the store. Data obtained by the software can be used by a store to optimize the shop’s layout and utilize its manpower effectively.
Aside from retail, the company is also looking into utilizing SPATIOWL in other industries as well. An example would be the delivery routes of trucks. Most drivers rely on experience in determining the route they will take, but the data gathered by SPATIOWL can be useful since it can be used to provide the driver with an accurate and dynamic idea of current traffic flow.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Viewpoint Discussion (7-8 minutes)
Lead the discussion using the questions below.
Discussion A
Lead the discussion using the questions below.
Discussion A
· Do you think this product will be in demand in your country? Why or why not?
· How would you feel if you were one of the customers in a store that is being monitored by this device? Explain your answer.
Discussion B
· How can technology be utilized to improve businesses?
· What kind of technology should be invented to make businesses more efficient and productive?
