 |
| Photo Credit: Amazon |
Testing is going well at Amazon’s experimental cashierless convenience store in Seattle, Washington. Three imaginative employees decided to test the new technology by shopping in bright yellow Pikachu costumes, grabbing sandwiches, drinks and snacks. The technology was spot-on. The employees were recognized and their purchases were charged correctly.
Amazon’s Just Walk Out shopping experience uses a mobile app and smart technology similar to what powers self-driving cars, “computer vision, sensor fusion and deep learning algorithms.” Shoppes scan their Amazon Go smartphone app as they enter. Cameras and shelf sensors keep track of purchases. Purchases are charged directly to the shopper’s Amazon account.
The technology is working well with single shoppers. Fine tuning is required for close groups in motion, like a family with a child that grabs a snack to eat while shopping. When couples shop together – who is the right person to be charged? Also, protocols are being developed for in-store returns, and other customer service issues.
There is no grand opening day announced yet for the store, but Amazon believes the no lines, no checkout, grab and go concept will catch on with consumers who have consistently been showing their love of convenience and saving time.
As Amazon has recently acquired the Whole Food Market grocery chain, analysts are speculating that a version of Amazon Go will be rolled out to Whole Food stores. Amazon currently says no. A large grocery store with thousands of products is much more complex than a small 1,800 sq. ft. convenience store, but we'll see...
Amazon’s cashierless store is almost ready for prime time
By Olivia Zaleski and Spencer Soper, Nov.15, 2017, for Bloomberg Technology
Amazon Go Frequently Asked Questions
No comments:
Post a Comment