Before AR technology entered a downturn, it had only just begun to show signs of recovery. However, large-scale commercialization remained a challenge. According to reports, Alibaba is collaborating with Starbucks to address the challenges of AR technology and to reinvent the consumer experience.
On December 5th, Starbucks and Alibaba launched the Shanghai Baking Workshop, marking a significant step in the integration of AR technology into real-world applications. From a technical standpoint, this was the first large-scale commercial use of AR scene recognition technology.
Customers can open Taobao’s "sweep" feature on their mobile phones to watch the entire process of coffee roasting, production, and brewing. Through AR technology, they can also explore every detail of the 20,000-square-meter workshop. Starbucks hopes that young people will rediscover coffee culture through this new interactive format.
According to Alibaba, the AR solution was developed jointly by Alibaba AI Labs and Starbucks. "This is the latest AR identification technology applied in the largest large-scale scene in the world," said Ali Xue, head of Alibaba AI Labs.
It is expected that this AR solution will be rolled out across the remaining 3,000 Starbucks stores in China and eventually expanded to international locations.
The "sweep" function on Taobao now unlocks a hidden mode at Starbucks, offering an immersive experience.
**New Technology Reshapes Consumer Experience**
The new retail revolution not only offers more convenient shopping experiences but also addresses the increasingly diverse needs of consumers. The AR interaction created by Alibaba and Starbucks marks a new attempt to meet evolving consumer behavior.
In 1999, Starbucks opened its first store in Beijing, becoming synonymous with Chinese elites and white-collar workers. Over the years, the brand has grown significantly in popularity. As consumption levels rise, people are no longer satisfied with just a comfortable environment or standardized taste. They seek deeper cultural and experiential engagement.
According to data from The Economist, by the end of 2016, China’s middle class reached 225 million, with the post-80s and 90s generations becoming the main consumer group. These individuals value uniqueness, fashion, and personal expression, and they look for more than just functional products—they want comprehensive experiences.
AR technology offers an effective way to engage these young consumers. Starbucks is no longer just selling coffee; it’s using Alibaba’s AR tech to rebrand its coffee culture and attract younger audiences.
Inside the smart store, everything from storage to brewing is displayed. A massive copper pot weighing over six tons is on display, blending the roles of warehouse and museum. By scanning physical objects with Taobao, customers can see a digital version of Seattle’s Pike Place Market, where Starbucks originated.
One customer shared, “Besides tasting the coffee, the AR experience provided a unique sensory journey. I didn’t expect coffee to be roasted like this, and without a guide, I felt like I had completed a full coffee culture tour on my own.â€
**AR Technology Solves Commercial Challenges**
For a long time, the AR industry faced difficulties in finding practical business applications beyond entertainment. However, with major companies like Apple, Google, and Alibaba launching their own AR platforms, confidence in the industry has grown.
Li Mingyang, a senior researcher at Alibaba AI Labs, stated that Alibaba’s AR technology focuses on integrating with real-world business scenarios. With over a hundred AR business cases already implemented, the collaboration with Starbucks was quickly established.
Currently, Alibaba’s AR technology is used in interactive marketing, O2O, AR navigation, product descriptions, and facial recognition. In the past year, AR games have been deployed in over 50 commercial districts across 11 cities, attracting 50 million users.
In this partnership, Alibaba applied 3D object recognition and tracking technology for the first time to recognize 2D objects, overcoming issues like transparency, shape changes, surface reflections, and overexposure. This improved the recognition accuracy to 97.3%, expanding AR’s application in complex offline environments.
The technology, developed by Alibaba AI Labs, is patented and currently being promoted. It represents another breakthrough following the successful commercial deployment of Tmall Elf.
“We need to develop good technology, but we also need to find the right scenes and products to make it work,†said Shallow Snow.
Starbucks plans to continue working with Alibaba, using AR technology for in-store scanning, ordering, and social marketing. The two companies are actively developing new technologies to enhance the offline shopping experience.
5.08MM Wire To Board Connectors
5.08MM Wire To Board Connectors
5.08 mm Wire to Board connectors are avialable in different terminations and sizes intended for use on a variety of applications. These connectors provide power and signal with different body styles, termination options, and centerlines. To find the wire to board set required, click on the appropriate sub section below.
5.08mm Wire To Board Connectors Type
5.08mm Terminal
5.08mm Housing
Pitch 5.08mm Wafer Right Angle&SMT Type
5.08mm Wafer Straight Type
5.08mm Wafer SMT Type
5.08mm Wafer Right Angle Type
5.08mm Wafer Single Row Straight Type
5.08mm Wafer Single Row SMT Type
5.08mm Wafer Double Row Straight Type
5.08mm Wafer Double Row SMT Type
5.08mm Wafer Double Right Angle Type
5.08mm Wafer Double Right Angle&SMT Type
5.08mm Wire To Board Connectors Advantages
Small electronics with high current requirements
One of the strongest advantage of the Micro Fit series is its applicability in delivering the high current requirement in electronics with supplying high power.
Safe and Reliable
ensure safety, system protection and performance with its bonded metallic conduits and multiple grounding points preventing fire hazards, component damage, overheating and possible electrocution.
ROHS Compliant
The product does not contain restricted chemicals in concentrations not complying with ROHS standards. Thus, for its components, the products can be worked upon at high temperatures required by lead-free soldering.
5.08 mm Wire To Board Connectors Application
Motherboard Connectors
The Motherboard of a computer holds together many of the crucial components such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory and connectors for input and output devices. Microfit connectors ensure high performance electronic system in quality motherboards.
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Printer Connectors
The 5.08mm Microfit can also be seen in most printers
Automotive PC Connectors
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Solar Panels
Microfit can also be commonly found in a solar array. A solar array is connected to each other, and to inverters through connectors to produce a successful flow of electricity.
5.08MM Wire To Board Connectors
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