AI Vision Checkout (Halo)
Instant checkout powered by computer vision
AI & Computer Vision
Retail Innovation
UX Strategy
UI Design
Pilot Testing & Iteration
[2025]
Overview:
As AI reshapes retail, NCR Voyix introduced Halo Checkout, an image recognition powered experience to make self-checkout faster, more accurate, and more intuitive. Though it started with grocery, Halo has the potential to expand into gas stations and convenience stores. It currently runs on a legacy platform, which presents some limitations.
As the product designer on Halo, I own the end to end design process. I shape concepts, run usability testing with real shoppers, structure design work into sprints, and partner closely with engineering and product teams to bring features into implementation. My focus is on uncovering shopper pain points and turning them into seamless experiences that work for both customers and retailers.
Company: NCR Voyix
Timeframe: Jan 2025 - present
Industry: AI, Computer Vision, Retail
Role: Product Designer
Patents filed: 1
Where my role began?
I joined the Halo project just as it launched its first pilot. At that time, the product had been developed without any input from the UX team. We asked the PM if I could visit the pilot store to observe how real shoppers were using it. What I saw made it clear: the experience wasn’t intuitive, and it wasn’t ready. We returned with a detailed list of issues and walked the team through what needed to change before the next pilot.
That presentation helped shift the direction of the project. From then on, we focused on UI enhancements, usability research, and modernizing the legacy product to turn it into a thoughtful, user-centered experience.
This presentation helped the team prioritize key issues before the second pilot
Halo UX Design Principles
We set design principles early on and shared them with product and engineering to stay aligned
Flows First, UI Second
Before diving into new designs or enhancements, we first mapped out the entire user flow of Halo, looking at how it works today and what could change in the experience.
Creating detailed user flows and flowcharts helped us understand how the AI engine operates, what data we receive, and where the gaps exist. This foundation gave us the clarity we needed before moving into any UI design.
UI Enhacments
The welcome screen looked too busy and most people assumed Halo was a regular self-checkout and ignored it.
Halo can recognize a cup of coffee, but not the specific type. The old design made this even more confusing for shoppers.
When Halo can’t identify an item, whether because of lighting or it not being in the catalog, the flow becomes confusing for shoppers.
Grouped or unrecognized items must be set aside individually when they get added, which often confuses shoppers.
Halo demo
Retailers branding Halo
Research
We brought in and compensated 22 external participants with diverse ages and tech backgrounds to test the new designs
Due to timing, we had to test our designs and validate new iterations back to back, often testing multiple features at the same time
Library, Storyboards & Backlog
Since Halo is a legacy based product, the UX team didn’t have a Figma library or any storyboards in place. When we took over the product, we created a new design library that combined both old and updated assets, along with storyboards that include all key flows, documentation, flowcharts, and user journeys.
We also created a UX product backlog to track outstanding features and design work, helping the team stay organized and aligned on priorities.
Data-Driven Design & Feature Releases
To understand how the new designs were performing and to secure funding for Halo, we began collecting live data from the pilot store. This data not only helped us demonstrate the value of Halo but also guided our design strategy by revealing gaps and opportunities. Since Halo is a work in progress and a completely new product, we tracked metrics such as transaction time, basket size, and error rates.
Every two weeks, we compared the results as new features and enhancements were released, allowing us to continuously refine and shape the product for the better.
Future of Halo and Design Strategy
NCR Voyix is shifting its strategy toward next-generation platforms, and if Halo proves successful, the goal is to transition it there. From a design perspective, we proposed moving away from the legacy approach. While Halo currently operates like the legacy self-checkout, our vision is to treat it as a completely new product with a fresh UI, new flows, and a fully redesigned experience.
To achieve this, we proposed engaging with customers, running discovery sessions, and conducting object-mapping workshops with stakeholders to establish the right foundation for a truly next-generation product.
Reflections
Working on Halo has been one of the most valuable learning experiences in my career. It taught me how to think strategically, not just as a designer but as a partner to product and engineering. I learned how to balance the needs of the business, the expectations of stakeholders, and the pain points of both customers and end users.
One of the biggest takeaways was understanding that a product can only succeed when everyone in design, engineering, product, and leadership is aligned and working toward a shared vision. That alignment is what drives real impact, and it is something I plan to carry with me into every project moving forward. I now approach design not just as a craft but as a way to bring people together around a common goal.