Machine Learning

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced a new search engine for Walmart.com. The new engine, named Polaris, was developed by a small team within @Wamart Labs,  the research and technology hub for innovation at Walmart. It uses semantic search technology to anticipate the intent of a shopper's search to deliver highly relevant results for them.  

TORONTO — Supervalu has agreed to use LoyaltyOne's Precima customer-centric analytics solution, to develop a multi-dimensional customer segmentation, LoyaltyOne announced.

Precima's multi-dimensional segmentation analysis will use customer data to help Supervalue better understand its customers and classify them in a way that translates into actionable insights, the company said. Those insights drive improvements with a goal of being more responsive to customer needs.

Black & Decker has introduced the GYRO 4V MAX Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G), a motion-activated screwdriver that controls variable speed and direction. The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control.

With the screwdriver’s gyroscopic technology, users only need to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse.

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM announced a definitive agreement to acquire Vivisimo, a leading provider of federated discovery and navigation software that helps organizations access and analyze big data across the enterprise. Vivisimo is a privately held company based in Pittsburgh. Financial terms were not disclosed.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Walmart is looking to help holiday shoppers find the perfect gift this season with the launch of a new social shopping application.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes’s plus-size Lane Bryant division announced the launch of Fashion Genius, a new technology that provides personalized product recommendation services. According to the retailer, the technology offers one-of-a-kind fit and style solution guides through a simple survey that combines a woman’s curves, fit issues and signature styles to individual merchandise items in just three minutes and with no measurements required.

New York -- LexisNexis announced that it has a launched a suite of products designed to protect retailers from the risks associated card-not-present, or fraudulent credit card orders.

According to LexisNexis' 2010 True Cost of Fraud Study, conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research, retailers are consistently experiencing more than $100 billion in annual fraud losses.

San Diego -- Teradata Corp. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aster Data Systems, a market leader and pioneer in advanced analytics and the management of a variety of diverse data that is not structured.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — A few years after launching its iFood assistant, a tool for on-the-go users that provides recipes and entertainment tips, Kraft is taking meal planning to the next level.

Teaming up with technology innovator Intel, new Kraft Meal Planning Solutions transforms traditional self-service kiosks into a platform where consumers can obtain recipes, shopping suggestions, promotional coupons and even product samples. The kiosks reportedly also will use facial recognition to determine a consumer's gender and will suggest dinner meal options.