Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Amazon Go

amazon.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

101–110 of 1001 posts

Re: Amazon Go

#101

Post by giarc »

notheguyouthink wrote: post #31
jakozaur wrote: post #2

Wow. So groceries without checkout. I thought that at some point RFID would replace barcodes providing similar experience. However, this system claim to be based on cameras and image recognition.

I'm absolutely shocked big chains aren't doing this already. I hate the lines at my local grocery, it's fucking annoying as hell, a terrible UX and everyone always seems upset (i try to be chill, fwiw.. for the cashier sake lol) . I sort of doubt i'll ever see these Amazon stores though, Brick and Mortar is quite hard. I suspect i'll see someone (Amazon or otherwise) add this to the big chains i already use, though.…

You are shocked big chains aren't doing this? What big chain has a robust R&D department working on image recognition? The profit margins at major grocery stores won't support anything like this.

Re: Amazon Go

#102

Post by joezydeco »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #74
elicash wrote: post #43

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 excitin…

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.

I don't think the system works like that.

From my first quick take of the video, the app+turnstyle is used to identify you to the store. The video system then tracks your position as you walk around.

When you walk out, the items are recognized and tallied by a large RFID sweep. Funneling you back out through a turnstyle makes sure the vision system knows it's you. Notice that you don't need to barcode yourself on the way out, and the exit system is phone agnostic (it's not checking for an NFC or Apple Pay tag or anything).

The whole "tracking individual items as they come on and off the shelves" task is a very complex thing. But tracking bodies as they walk around a 1,500 square foot room isn't that hard.

Re: Amazon Go

#103

Post by jerf »

notheguyouthink wrote: post #31
jakozaur wrote: post #2

Wow. So groceries without checkout. I thought that at some point RFID would replace barcodes providing similar experience. However, this system claim to be based on cameras and image recognition.

I'm absolutely shocked big chains aren't doing this already. I hate the lines at my local grocery, it's fucking annoying as hell, a terrible UX and everyone always seems upset (i try to be chill, fwiw.. for the cashier sake lol) . I sort of doubt i'll ever see these Amazon stores though, Brick and Mortar is quite hard. I suspect i'll see someone (Amazon or otherwise) add this to the big chains i already use, though.…

"I'm absolutely shocked big chains aren't doing this already."

They don't have the money. It's a very competitive business and margins are not high enough to be doing that level of cutting-edge computer science research.

I've seen them try just to build software that allows you to shop from home and get it delivered either curbside or to your home. They can. But in my opinion, it's also clearly at the limit of their capability, and with all due respect to the programmers involved, also clearly just barely staffed adequately.

Re: Amazon Go

#106

Post by mankyd »

Someone1234 wrote: post #18

Companies have been discussing "checkout-less" stores since forever, but nobody has been brave enough to do it due to the perceived threat of shoplifting. And while shoplifting is a legitimate threat, are non-shoplifters going to be turned into shoplifters without a checkout? Are normal shoplifters stopped by checkouts? These are the core questions, and until it is tested nobody will know for sure. Target is getting…

> are non-shoplifters going to be turned into shoplifters without a checkout?

One could respond that you can never truly shop lift if you follow the rules.

First, you have to check in when you enter. Second, they tell you to grab and go.

As long as you don't try to be malicious about it, then it's on Amazon to figure out what to charge you for. If they fail to see something, that's on them.

Re: Amazon Go

#107

Post by sqeaky »

raverbashing wrote: post #75
draw_down wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds great if it's not as unbelievably user-hostile as the self checkout machines. Those things are just total crap, every one I've ever tried.

Once I got the hang of it, I've had almost zero problems with self-checkout machines It's usually one of two things: a purchase that must be approved (either alcohol or some medicine) or scanning the single item barcode of a multi-item

I think there are bigger problems, like how they implicitly assume everyone is a thief and are will to damage usability for everyone because that assumption.

That stupid scale isn't going to stop any shoplifter, but it does inconvenience me every time.

EDIt - Grammar.

Re: Amazon Go

#108

Post by eggie5 »

jtcond13 wrote: post #100

Your periodic reminder that 'retail salesperson' is the most common job in America (~4.5 million). http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/04/the-10-m...

I always thought some type of driver was more common...

Re: Amazon Go

#109

Post by chrischen »

Someone1234 wrote: post #18

Companies have been discussing "checkout-less" stores since forever, but nobody has been brave enough to do it due to the perceived threat of shoplifting. And while shoplifting is a legitimate threat, are non-shoplifters going to be turned into shoplifters without a checkout? Are normal shoplifters stopped by checkouts? These are the core questions, and until it is tested nobody will know for sure. Target is getting…

Apple does it. You can use the Apple Store app to scan and pay and walk out.

Re: Amazon Go

#110

Post by noahm »

SCHiM wrote: post #59

Haha yes, hackers are going to have a field day with this!! I'm sure it's good enough for users which don't actively try to game the system through technical means, but I suspect it won't stand a chance against someone who's taken the time to understand and undermine the system. On another more on-topic note, what an awesome time to be alive! :) When I was younger concepts like this were usually paired with flying ca…

It is an awesome time to be alive, but I do wish we'd start doing more interesting stuff with our technology than simply streamlining the ability to buy stuff. Convenience is wonderful, and I make use of lots of modern technological improvements in that regard, but I'm skeptical as to whether any of it has really made a measurable improvement on my standard of living.

https://medium.com/the-mission/silicon-valley-has-a-problem-... is largely what I mean. I don't blame the tech industry, necessarily. It's society as a whole that seems to have developed such a warped set of values, and I have no idea what to do about it.

Post reply on HN