Can It Scan It? Turning AI Checkout into Entertainment
February 2024 —It takes a lot of effort to make something look this lo-fi! Can It Scan It? is a short-form video series I conceived and produced at Mashgin to show the fun side of computer-vision checkout. Each episode puts Mashgin’s AI to the test with an off-the-wall object -- anything from cheeseburgers to telephones to a diploma to Secret, Even Better Harvard -- to prove how fast and flexible the system is.
I wanted a total retro vibe for these videos, so I had them shot on a Super-16 video sensor rig with 1970s-era cinema lenses. That was still too nice looking for me, so back to the mill it went until I was satisfied the final product would look bad enough. The final product was delivered in a 9:16 aspect ratio to TikTok.
The goal: make B2B tech instantly understandable and shareable. The series became one of Mashgin’s most-viewed content campaigns, helping the brand stand out in a crowded AI marketplace and giving sales teams a memorable, lighthearted asset to open conversations.
Can It Scan It? in its entirety. Your Host introduces himself as a scientist hired by Mashgin to test its AI. Mashgin handles the tasks with aplomb, so much so that the scientist begins to lose his grip on reality.