Tencent Launches Scan-and-Pay for Parking Without QR code
Tencent Holdings has introduced an automated payment system for car parks in Shenzhen, paving the way for better turnover of carpark lots at popular sites within the country.
Car owners in China may soon be drive in and out of carparks seamlessly without having to fumble or flick out their smartphones to pay for parking. Tencent Holdings on Wednesday announced that it has implemented an automated payment system, named «pay-by-plate», for more than 1,000 car parks across China.
«QR code scanning is no longer required under this system,”» said Wang Yuxi, the operations director of WeChat Pay, who was quoted in South China Morning Post. «The payment can be processed even when the drivers’ phones are out of power or the signal is weak in underground car parks.»
Down To Two Seconds
To enjoy the conveniences of the system, car owners must first register their plate numbers under their WeChat Pay accounts. Their plates are then scanned by specifically installed cameras which are located at the exit points of car parking sites.
Leveraging on artificial intelligence, the system can match the captured image of the plate number with a database of WeChat Pay users, to determine the corresponding account and allow settlement of parking fees. One major shopping and office complex in Nanshan district of Shenzhen saw payment processing and exit time for vehicles reduced to 2 seconds, from 20 seconds prior to implementation, said Tencent.
Wang said the new WeChat Pay service will be rolled out to parking sites in schools and around popular tourist areas.
