Amazon has given an access of its first automated store to the public. Amazon Go is a grocery store situated on the first floor of the corporation's Seattle head office.
This store, which offers food, drinks and canned goods could transform our shopping habits in the future.
As soon as you arrive at the store, your presence will be tracked by phone app. Customers need to download the app and register in it. Infrared cameras watch about everything that happens in the store. If you pick up items from the shelves they will be automatically put into your virtual shopping cart. When you put an item back, the cameras easily detect it. The fact you walk out your account is charged without making any physical payment.
The technologies used at Amazon Go are the same as driverless cars – computer detecting, weight sensors and complicated algorithm’s structures.
The 1,800 square foot store has been opened to Amazon employees for a year in very convenience location. Now other customers can also shop there. At this moment there are 5 stores only in Seattle. In September 2018 some facts were reported. Amazon had plans to open at least 3000 shops across the USA by 2021.
However, not everything has been running smoothly in the store's opening year. There were some obstacles to overcome. For example, it's hard for cameras to discern between different flavors or products that look alike. They definitely have problems with identifying customers with similar appearance and clothes.
Although there are no checkout counters and cashiers which make you wait in line, there are shop assistants who restore goods and give an advice to clients.
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