Amazon Go - The First Automated Store
Amazon has opened its first automated store to the public. Amazon Go
is a grocery store located on the ground level of
the corporation's Seattle headquarters.
The store, which offers food, salads and boxed
meals could revolutionize our shopping experience in the future.
As soon as you arrive at the store, a cell phone app connected to an
Amazon account registers your presence. Everything that happens in
the store is tracked by hundreds of infrared cameras. When you pick
up items from the shelves they are automatically put into
your virtual shopping cart. The cameras also detect when you put an
item back on the shelves and remove it from your cart. The moment
you walk out your account is charged without making
any physical payment.
The technologies used at Amazon Go are the same as
with driverless cars - computer tracking, weight sensors on shelves
and complicated algorithms.
The 1,800 square foot store has been open to Amazon employees for a
year. Now the public can also shop there.
However, not everything has been running smoothly in the store's
opening year. There were hardships to overcome. For example, it's
hard for cameras to distinguish between different flavours or products
that look the same. They also have problems handling people who move
around or identifying shoppers with similar body sizes and clothes.
Even though there are no checkout counters and cashiers who make
you wait in line, there are shop assistants who restock goods and help
customers find their way around.
Amazon Go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrmMk1Myrxc
Amazon Home Delivery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIToP1xXvu0