NEC and Mori Building Launch Frictionless Customer Experience Service Using Facial Recognition at Azabudai Hills
NEC and Mori Building will implement a frictionless customer experience utilizing facial recognition at Azabudai Hills Cafe from April 1, 2026. This service offers smartphone-free payments and ticket redemption via NEC's advanced 'Bio-IDiom' biometric technology.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (2h 56m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 06:49 (535h 52m after Collected)
NEC (Note 1), jointly with Mori Building Co., Ltd. (Note 2), will begin providing a frictionless customer experience utilizing the foundation of the NEC Facial Link Service (Note 3) at Azabudai Hills Cafe (Note 4) starting April 1, 2026. This service seamlessly connects services using facial recognition. Within this service, "Facial Recognition Payment Service" and "Facial Recognition Ticket Service" will be available, promoting the creation of further customer experience value through the implementation of services connected by facial recognition.
- Facial Recognition Payment: Utilizing the world's No.1 (Note 5) facial recognition technology, which is the core technology of NEC's biometric authentication "Bio-IDiom", users can complete payments securely, easily, and conveniently simply by standing in front of the cash register after registering their facial and credit card information in advance. No smartphone is required, and contactless payment is realized even when wearing a mask or hat.
- Facial Recognition Ticket: For those holding benefits or rights, their holder status can be confirmed via facial recognition, providing a smooth and special experience value. (This time, coffee tickets will be sold, and purchasers can receive their coffee hands-free without waiting if they hold the ticket rights.)
Furthermore, the period from April 1 to April 30 will be designated as the "Campaign Period", and points and tickets usable at Mori Building facilities will be presented to users of this service. Additionally, from April 1 to 7, a special cafe for this service will be deployed at Azabudai Hills Cafe. In the store, we will guide you on how to pre-register and provide a frictionless experience of "no taking out / no waiting / great deals" using facial recognition, allowing you to understand and use this service more smoothly.
Purpose of Providing this Service
- Expand awareness of NEC's facial recognition platform
- Value verification of the facial recognition platform
- Repeatable value verification
- As a destination to create usage opportunities for already registered users from events like the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament (Note 6), and other events.
About the Gift Campaign (Note 7)
Event Period: April 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026
Content: Hills Points and shopping tickets will be presented to users of the facial recognition registration, payment, and facial recognition ticket services.
About the Pop-up Event (Note 7)
Period: April 1, 2026 to April 7, 2026
Content: By exclusively renting Azabudai Hills Cafe, a campaign to popularize this service will be held through a frictionless experience of "no taking out / no waiting / great deals" using facial recognition.
Expansion and Other Uses of the Service
Following the provision of this service, NEC will expand the area and scope of services providing frictionless customer experience value utilizing the NEC Facial Link Service, contributing to the realization of "happiness" for consumers and companies.
Additionally, this service is also provided at the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament and other events.
[Notes]
This press release is based on current plans and is subject to change.
- Facial Recognition Payment: Utilizing the world's No.1 (Note 5) facial recognition technology, which is the core technology of NEC's biometric authentication "Bio-IDiom", users can complete payments securely, easily, and conveniently simply by standing in front of the cash register after registering their facial and credit card information in advance. No smartphone is required, and contactless payment is realized even when wearing a mask or hat.
- Facial Recognition Ticket: For those holding benefits or rights, their holder status can be confirmed via facial recognition, providing a smooth and special experience value. (This time, coffee tickets will be sold, and purchasers can receive their coffee hands-free without waiting if they hold the ticket rights.)
Furthermore, the period from April 1 to April 30 will be designated as the "Campaign Period", and points and tickets usable at Mori Building facilities will be presented to users of this service. Additionally, from April 1 to 7, a special cafe for this service will be deployed at Azabudai Hills Cafe. In the store, we will guide you on how to pre-register and provide a frictionless experience of "no taking out / no waiting / great deals" using facial recognition, allowing you to understand and use this service more smoothly.
Purpose of Providing this Service
- Expand awareness of NEC's facial recognition platform
- Value verification of the facial recognition platform
- Repeatable value verification
- As a destination to create usage opportunities for already registered users from events like the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament (Note 6), and other events.
About the Gift Campaign (Note 7)
Event Period: April 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026
Content: Hills Points and shopping tickets will be presented to users of the facial recognition registration, payment, and facial recognition ticket services.
About the Pop-up Event (Note 7)
Period: April 1, 2026 to April 7, 2026
Content: By exclusively renting Azabudai Hills Cafe, a campaign to popularize this service will be held through a frictionless experience of "no taking out / no waiting / great deals" using facial recognition.
Expansion and Other Uses of the Service
Following the provision of this service, NEC will expand the area and scope of services providing frictionless customer experience value utilizing the NEC Facial Link Service, contributing to the realization of "happiness" for consumers and companies.
Additionally, this service is also provided at the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament and other events.
[Notes]
This press release is based on current plans and is subject to change.