Amazon Go

(amazon.com)

1247 points mangoman | 1 comments | 05 Dec 16 14:57 UTC | HN request time: 0.203s | source

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elicash ◴[05 Dec 16 15:31 UTC] No.13105963[source]▶

I worked at a grocery store for several years, and one thing I recall is customers CONSTANTLY putting items back in a random aisle, rather than where they found it.

I wonder how this tech deals with that? Maybe they figured that out, too. But I was amused in the video when I saw the customer putting it back where it belonged, because that's not how I remember that going...

All that said, this is fantastic and exciting.

Edit: I also hope they're already thinking about EBT cards and WIC.

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Cthulhu_ ◴[05 Dec 16 15:38 UTC] No.13106046[source]▶

>>13105963 #

I really wouldn't trust 'picked up off the shelf' detection, not without the whole thing looking like a giant vending machine. RFID tags on products probably works better.

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1. josephjrobison ◴[05 Dec 16 18:37 UTC] No.13107948[source]▶

>>13106046 #

I would assume RFID would be more accurate to begin with. Seems like there's a lot of room for errors with their proposed technology.

BUT what if their goal isn't to make razor thin margins at grocery stores, but to test out their tech on human tracking. You've got to believe that they have a more long term plan than making a better self-checkout.

They can now tie in your Amazon Go app with you as a person. Most likely all the sensors and cameras in the store will be both tracking you via your app with Bluetooth, but also perhaps body heat sensors and the like that track you based on your unique body pattern.

Then they can tie this in with your Amazon Prime account to better improve recommended purchases to you, they can tie this in with your Prime Now account and your home address and more immediate delivery needs. Drones, Kindle, Echo as well.

The goal is deeper analytics and tracking on individual humans. That's how Facebook makes their money, and Amazon can perhaps have deeper data on individuals than any other company tracking browser cookies.

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