New Motorola Bioptic Scanner/Scale Easily Scans 2D, Mobile Barcodes

Motorola Solutions, Inc., a provider of mission-critical communication solutions and services for enterprise and government customers, is bringing retail checkout scanning into the mobile age with its MP6000 multi-plane scanner/scale, an imaging-based bioptic solution developed to help customers quickly checkout at retail stores.

With its modular design and embedded customer side scanner for expanded functionality, the point-of-sale device allows cost-conscious retailers to scan 1D and 2D bar codes and engage with shoppers’ smartphones. “Everything is beginning to revolve around consumer technology,” John Britts, senior dir. of product management for Motorola told Progressive Grocer. “Almost all consumers are carrying smartphones nowadays, and this kind of interaction is desired by them. In addition, there is an increased use of 2D bar codes. This system was developed to address both trends.”

The MP6000 can scan traditional paper-based bar codes as well as mobile coupons and bar codes delivered on the screen of a mobile device. It offers a flexible design that can grow with a retailer’s needs and will include modules such as scale to weigh produce and expansion ports for connection to handheld scanners and electronic article surveillance (EAS) devices while providing expandability for future requirements like RFID.

Retailers can choose an optional embedded customer side scanner to engage with current and future consumer smartphone apps. This will enable shoppers to scan both traditional paper-based and mobile loyalty cards, coupons, gift cards or even small impulse buys while the cashier scans other items in the order.

To help move customers quickly through the checkout process and eliminate the challenge of trying to align the bar code, the MP6000 will provide full six-sided coverage with 100 percent imaging technology designed to offer excellent performance and better read rates than laser or hybrid bioptic scanners on damaged, poorly printed and overwrapped bar codes.

Additionally, because Motorola’s MP6000 utilizes no moving parts, it will yield at least 30 percent less power consumption per lane compared to current laser-based bioptic scanners.

The MP6000 will be publicly displayed for the first time at NRF 2013 booth #921 in New York City on Jan. 14.