Amazon to launch grocery and “just walk out” tech early 2017

Have you ever dreamt of walking into a store, taking all the things you need, and then just walking out without having to do any transactions? Well, you could do that but you’ll probably end up in jail. Amazon will be launching a new retail store and a new program, Amazon Go, that will let you do exactly that, except that of course you will actually pay for the items on your account. The target launch is early 2017, but while we have the basic details, we still don’t have the full picture and process yet.

Based on the initial video that they have released, Amazon Go should be fairly simple for the users. You walk into their grocery store and you scan your phone upon entry to start the app. It will then create a virtual cart for you and when you pick up items, it will add them to your account. If you change your mind and put it back, it will be deducted of course. You don’t even need to have an actual cart, even your bag will do. When you go out of the store, it will tally all the items you brought with you and charge it to your Amazon Go account.

We’re not yet clear as to how the tech will work and if it will be as smooth sailing as they’re pushing it to be. All they said is that they will be utilizing a “just walk out technology” which is made up of “computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning”, which they say is what other companies use for their self-driving tech. We would also want to know what safeguards they will be putting to minimize theft and all that comes with it, because as we know, people will always find ways to cheat.

But for now, what we do know is the location of Amazon’s first retail store and it will be at 2131 7th Ave, Seattle, Washington. Amazon employees have already been beta testing the store, which includes not just grocery items but also ready-to-eat meals prepared by in-house chefs. Let’s see if this is an idea that will actually fly.

VIA: SlashGear