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Cambridge shopping center adds 'virtual assistant'

The Grafton Shopping Centre in Cambridge says it is ready to dazzle shoppers with a "virtual" employee who greets customers when they enter.

July 24, 2014

The Grafton Shopping Centre in Cambridge, U.K., says it is ready to dazzle shoppers with a "virtual" employee who greets customers when they enter.

Using technology that projects an image of a person, the Tensator Virtual Assistant also interacts with customers, answering common questions and promoting mall offers. According to the companies, this is the very first use of this technology in a U.K. shopping mall.

“We are proud to introduce the newest addition to our team," said Grafton Shopping Centre manager Lance Stanbury. "She is the first of her kind in a U.K. shopping center and we believe she will be a real help to all our customers. Cambridge is known as the 'silicon fen' for its new technology and we are proud to be introducing innovation in Cambridge’s popular retail destination.”

“We’re delighted to be working alongside the Grafton to help make the shopping experience even more unique for customers," said Ajay Joshi, Tensator’s head of media and technology. "Tensator Virtual Assistants have become a familiar sight at airports, train stations and conference venues across the world and now they are making their mark on UK shopping centers too. Consumers are demanding a more immersive, guided retail experience and it’s great to see the Grafton team leading the way when it comes to meeting this need.”