Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2023 30 V irtually the entire European economy is affected by counterfeiting. Besides luxury goods, the problem affects many other sectors and industries. High-value and high-priced products are particularly susceptible to counterfeiting. The conse- quences can be particularly severe in the medical and automotive industries. According to a study by the Institute of the German Economy, product piracy cost German companies more than 60 billion euros in 2022 alone – and the international figures are much higher. With Origify, Bosch offers manufacturers and retailers a compre- hensive solution for the authentication of individual products. Using an optical recording of the product's characteristics, a digital and tamper- proof stored fingerprint is created. Authenticity can be verified at any time by comparing the actual fingerprint with the first fingerprint taken at the factory immediately after production, using an app and a suitable smartphone. In just a few seconds, it can be determined whether a product – such as a watch, jewelry, medical device, or expensive automotive sensor technology – was originally recorded by the manufacturer using Origify, or whether it could be a counterfeit. "Today's counterfeit products are increasingly difficult to detect due to the ever-improving manufacturing technologies. Our technology also detects features that the human eye can no longer perceive," said Oliver Steinbis, who is responsible for the project in the Bosch Group. AUTHENTICATION AND TRACEABILITY Origify captures the product itself, as opposed to physical features such as QR codes or NFC chips, or features applied to packaging to protect against counterfeiting. Depending on the product, multiple features – such as the dial, case, and movement of a luxury wristwatch – can be included in the digital fingerprint. For example, connector panels or imprints may be suitable for technical products. Bosch works T E C H N O L O G Y [ N E W S ] DIGITAL PLATFORM BY BOSCH TAKES ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Recognizing authenticity and ensuring traceability: Origify increases level of security for a wide range of products Checking a handbag via app: the leather a production run of many pieces, is unique Technical components can also be recorded with Origify and checked at any time. Even minimal deviations in mass production are enough to give each individual product in a series its digital fingerprint. © Bosch

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