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1247 points mangoman | 1 comments | 05 Dec 16 14:57 UTC | HN request time: 0.212s | source
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MatekCopatek ◴[05 Dec 16 15:23 UTC] No.13105865[source]▶
When I started reading the description, I thought: "someone finally delivered on that RFID pitch of just walking out of the store". Was surprised that it's actually computer vision.
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mdorazio ◴[05 Dec 16 15:26 UTC] No.13105897[source]▶
Same. I remember predictions of RFID-based shopping becoming the norm 10 years ago, but it never happened. Does anyone know why the tech didn't pan out that way?
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1. pitaa ◴[05 Dec 16 16:10 UTC] No.13106356[source]▶
I know the standard already exists (It's called EPC), and it is actually used a bit. I recall last time I bought socks at Walmart, there was actually an RFID tag inside the label. I believe they're used a bit more in the supply chain, but AFAIK no retailer actually uses them at the point of sale yet.

One reason I think the retailers took a step back from EPC was the general fear mongering and misinformation. In addition to the crazies calling them out as "the mark of the beast", there were numerous reports in the media about how walmart was going to start "putting computer tracking chips in all the pants they sold so they could track you wherever you went." I'm pretty sure they were also supposed to give you cancer and kill baby seals, too!