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Amazon Go

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Re: Amazon Go

#31

Post by notheguyouthink »

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.

Either way, lets get rid of lines please.

Re: Amazon Go

#33

Post by _gfrc »

mdorazio wrote: post #14
MatekCopatek wrote: post #5

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.

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?

RFID tags are still to expensive in the supermarket context. The margins are usually razor thin (at least in Germany) and the products are quite cheap. Even when buying RFID tags in bulk they are too expensive.

Re: Amazon Go

#34

Post by TurboHaskal »

Do they really need "Computer Vision" and "Deep Learning Algorithms" just to scan a product and assoc it with your id?

The AI meme is getting ridiculous.

PS: I love how the video is based on the US and displays a multicultural, young and health conscious folk, yet not a single obese person is shown :) And how the protein section has chicken, beef and tofu, but no pork products :))

Re: Amazon Go

#35

Post by acomar »

CPLX wrote: post #24
acomar wrote: post #4

I wonder how they plan to deal with fraud... some kind of check-in process instead?

I was thinking that, but then realized that the concept of fraud doesn't really apply in the way we're used to. I mean you're allowed to walk into the store, take anything you want, and then walk out. How would you even define fraud in that context? Presumably there are things you could do to confuse or mislead the technology, but it seems to me that as presented the onus is on Amazon to just charge you the correct a…

Presumably they'll want to deactivate the accounts for people who don't settle their bills, and they'll want to keep out folks who don't have accounts. This seems attackable to me, probably because they haven't released enough details about how it works.

Re: Amazon Go

#36

Post by mememachine »

helipad wrote: post #10

Technology aside, shoppers are going to feel so weird doing this at the beginning. There's already social anxiety when people pay for things and walk past a security guard, or a security barrier. Whether it's an airport, or a clothes store, or a ticket barrier, there's always a nervousness about being called out. It's bad enough in the Apple Store where you can pay and walk out, this will take some real getting used…

think youre overestimating how "challenging" this will be for 99% of people

Re: Amazon Go

#37

Post by ReverseCold »

acomar wrote: post #15
viktorelofsson wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> With our Just Walk Out Shopping experience, simply use the Amazon Go app to enter the store, take the products you want, and go! No lines, no checkout. (No, seriously.) Yes, seems like you check-in with an app.

I saw that, but it sounds vague enough that there a few different scenarios I can think of to attack this service. Like what are they going to do if multiple people are sharing an account, but they only have photos of one? edit: I just realized how they can deal with that -- take a picture when the person walks in and tie it to the account they scanned. There still seem to be a bunch of fraud issues, but this is cert…

Just don't share the account. That may already be part of their ToS.

Re: Amazon Go

#40

Post by TurboHaskal »

vyrotek wrote: post #29

They will most certainly be tracking a lot more than just you picking up your item. The data they collect about shopping behavior will be interesting. Like, how long I hesitated before I picked up something, what I had already in my "cart" at the time, what deals I looked at but passed on, etc.

Insurance companies will love it the most.
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