Amazon Go, the cashless supermarket run by the artificial intelligence of the US e-commerce giant, has fascinated many Italian consumers for a few years, who would like something similar in our country too. At the moment there is nothing, even if there is a startup that is working on something similar, Checkout Technologies.
The interest in this solution is so high, however, that Amazon itself has decided to offer the "Just Walk Out" technology behind Amazon Go to other retailers. Potentially a large chain like Esselunga or Conad will therefore be able to adopt Amazon's solution to renew its supermarkets, eliminating the checkouts (and cashiers).
The package offered includes a combination of video cameras, sensors, computer vision and deep learning solutions to allow customers to enter, take what they need and leave without having to go through a checkout to pay. The payment takes place automatically via the smartphone or another means by which you are authenticated at the entrance.
While customers buy what they need, the cameras track their movements and the sensors on the shelves register if an item is removed or returned to its place. The items withdrawn by customers are then placed in a virtual shopping cart. When the customer leaves the shop, he is automatically charged the amount due. You can also get a receipt through a kiosk or receive it via email.
An apparently comfortable system, even if the potential collection of data on customers and their habits has already raised more than a few eyebrows among privacy advocates. At the same time, many are wondering what repercussions the diffusion of this technology could have on jobs. If it is true that the shelves will have to be filled by human staff, at least initially, certainly the few cashiers who survive today will be destined to disappear.
Amazon claims to have already signed several agreements with customers interested in implementing Just Walk Out in their storeshowever it is not clear who it is. The company has put online a website where it explains how Just Walk Out works. Amazon offers "all the technology needed to allow purchases without having to go through a checkout", so Jeff Bezos's company is likely to supply the hardware such as video cameras, sensors and all necessary software.
Amazon does not specify how much the package costs, but points out that the system is accompanied by 24/7 support via telephone and email. The installation completely takes a few weeks, and it is possible to integrate Just Walk Out into the construction or renovation phase of a store.
