The SECO Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 presents developers with a robust, full-featured HMI solution that is well suited for retail and point-of-sale (POS) applications. Based on the powerful Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, it enables next-level self-service kiosk automation through AI vision, with fast development and comprehensive fleet management via SECO’s Clea software suite.
Self-service kiosks are a common sight across retail and food and beverage settings, but their existence has introduced several challenges for system developers and store managers alike. This is because self-service kiosks are primarily operated by members of the public, who were never explicitly trained to use what is actually a very sophisticated piece of equipment.
For starters, self-service kiosks require a highly intuitive, aesthetically pleasing user interface (UI) with unquestionable ease of use. Touch screens provide an ideal interface for necessary user input, such as selecting payment types or quantities of loose grocery items. However, retail settings demand additional ruggedness over traditional tablet PCs to withstand rougher-than-intended use from customers, with thorough water and dust protection in settings where spills occur regularly.
Despite usually being overseen by staff, self-service sections also suffer from misuse and scanning issues. To prevent losses and lessen the need for staff intervention, artificial intelligence (AI) vision presents a useful tool for supporting retailers through additional monitoring, enabling them to maximize the revenue benefits of customer self-service.
Nevertheless, self-service installations require powerful computing resources, rugged human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and a sophisticated software ecosystem that can scale to support many kiosks. SECO provides these essentials by combining its hardware design expertise and comprehensive Clea software framework with the popular Raspberry Pi ecosystem.
Combining a Robust HMI with an Extensive Development Ecosystem
SECO’s Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 presents developers with the familiarity of Raspberry Pi but the rock-solid construction required for public-facing equipment. From the front, an IP66-rated 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen offers complete protection against dust ingress and accidental spill damage. The high-brightness 1280x800-pixel display provides easy readability under all indoor lighting conditions at a size that suits both permanent self-service kiosks and temporary installations for maximizing opportunities during busy seasons.
For maximum durability and passive thermal dissipation without fans, the Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 is constructed from aluminum, supporting high operating reliability and reduced maintenance requirements. Integrated mounting brackets reduce setup time and simplify wall mounting for greater space optimization in smaller stores.
Behind the display lies the heart of the system: a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. Based on a powerful Broadcom BCM2712 Quad-core Cortex-A processor, supported by up to 8 GB RAM and 64 GB built-in eMMC storage, this single-board computer (SBC) combines compactness with ultimate flexibility to build professional applications. The immediately accessible interfaces include:
- 2x HDMI 2.0 for additional displays
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac) for network connectivity
- 2x USB 3.0 for peripherals
However, the real advantage of the Raspberry Pi hardware ecosystem is its HATs, which simplify connections to I/Os via dedicated add-on boards. These HATs—or compatible modules—can be used to quickly build complete point-of-sale (POS) systems, supporting:
- NFC terminals for contactless payments
- Barcode scanners
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) to streamline in-store wiring
- Camera systems
- AI hardware accelerators—also supported by the on-board M.2 M-Key PCIe socket
By adding a dedicated AI processor—like those from Hailo or Axelera AI—developers can implement AI vision directly on the kiosk. To prevent theft, AI models could be trained to detect when an item has moved from a basket to a bag unscanned or does not match the scanned barcode. Alternatively, a similar model could prevent a transaction intervention by recognizing that a scanned item has been placed back in the cart instead of the bagging area, out of convenience.
This shift towards edge AI improves latency and data security while shrinking network bandwidth requirements, usually supported through a direct Ethernet connection to the kiosk. Still, the Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 includes Wi-Fi and the potential for BT connectivity for added flexibility, whether for pop-up installations where an Ethernet port is unavailable or for connecting to staff notification systems for easier shop floor management.
Streamlining Kiosk Development and Management with Clea
When developing self-service kiosks with the Pi Vision 10.1 CM5, SECO’s industrial-grade Clea software framework offers the scalable device management, security, and compliance required for long-term commercial projects.
At the single-kiosk level, Clea OS offers a ready-to-go, Yocto-based solution that streamlines low-level software implementation so developers can focus on the application environment and UI—the features that matter to customers. For more advanced functionality, Clea OS also supports adding specialized AI software development kits (SDKs) and tools like Edge Impulse and TensorFlow. Many AI vision models are readily available on the SECO App Hub to further accelerate the development of next-level self-service kiosks.
In addition, Clea Portal, Clea Astarte, and Clea Edgehog provide the extended infrastructure to support self-service kiosks en masse. Clea Portal provides the web-based IoT front end for store managers to understand and visualize kiosk data for usage insights, with Clea Astarte providing the middleware for getting this data from kiosk fleets and into the cloud.
Perhaps most importantly, Clea Edgehog remotely manages kiosk lifecycle and secures over-the-air (OTA) updates from the individual level to whole networks, with containerization support. This, combined with the Pi Vision 10.1 CM5’s rugged construction, dramatically reduces the need for on-site maintenance and ensures maximum system uptime for increased revenue opportunities.
A Forward-Thinking HMI Platform for Self-Service Retail
Self-service kiosks present a unique application where developers must build complex, resilient equipment that also requires zero training to use effectively. SECO’s Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 meets this challenge head-on, with a robust build and easy hardware expansion through the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, supporting developers in deploying AI vision that streamlines self-service operations and prevents losses.
When paired with SECO’s Clea software framework, the Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 becomes a commercially ready platform with all the necessary security and fleet management infrastructure that future-proofs installations. At the same time, Clea OS accelerates development and enables developers to quickly deploy AI vision models that provide next-level autonomy to self-service kiosks.
This industrial-grade, Raspberry Pi–based HMI is now commercially available via DigiKey, enabling developers and OEMs to move seamlessly from prototyping to deployment.
An initial limited batch of 1,000 units is available at a discounted launch price, only on DigiKey, while supplies last.
Discover more and place your order on the DigiKey product page.