A pioneering new facial recognition payments system is now being trialled across select London cafes. Digital financial firm Revolut is introducing its innovative ‘Pay with Smile’ feature, allowing customers to complete transactions with merely a glance.
This cutting-edge technology will debut at participating businesses utilising Revolut Register terminals. The initial pilot officially commenced this Thursday within the capital.
Initially, customers can experience the new system at Kiss the Hippo cafes. Locations in Bloomsbury, Chelsea, and Soho are among the first to offer this option.
Using the system is straightforward. Simply tap ‘Pay with Smile’ on a Revolut Register screen. Subsequently, a facial identity check takes place, mirroring the security features used for unlocking smartphones or accessing banking applications.
The technology then verifies the customer’s identity. This process cross-references the facial scan with the checks completed during their initial Revolut signup. Therefore, if the facial match proves successful, an account-to-account payment receives authorisation.
Significantly, customers must actively opt into using this feature. Consent is managed via their Revolut app settings. Revolut has confirmed that customers will not be automatically enrolled. Furthermore, they retain the ability to withdraw their consent at any given time.
Alex Codina, general manager of merchant payments at Revolut Business, commented on the innovation. He stated, “By combining high-performance processing with facial recognition technology, we’re replacing outdated, fragmented tills with a hyper-efficient checkout experience designed to solve consumer and merchant pain points.”
The company also provided assurances regarding data security. Facial recognition data is encrypted end-to-end. Crucially, personal data will not be stored by any participating merchants, enhancing privacy safeguards.
Alex Damgaci, managing director at Kiss the Hippo Coffee, expressed enthusiasm for the launch. “We’re looking forward to welcoming guests to try Pay with Smile at our Bloomsbury, Soho and Chelsea cafes before we roll out across all 12 of our cafes later this year,” he explained.
Revolut is also offering a significant incentive. They are applying 0% processing fees on all Revolut Pay with Smile transactions. This initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens, particularly for independent venues embracing the new facial recognition payments method.
