Amazon reportedly wants to expand its cashierless technology to other retailers—including airport shops and movie theaters.
Introduced last year, Amazon Go stores are ideal for hungry, time-pressed customers: Simply scan your phone to enter, shop as usual, then walk out without ever touching a wallet or pin pad.
Relying on computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning, the company’s so-called “Just Walk Out Technology” automatically detects when a product is removed from or returned to shelves, and keeps track of them in a virtual cart.
Upon departure, your Amazon account is charged and a digital receipt is sent.
The firm has already opened 16 branded outposts since January 2018. Now it’s eyeing a move into more densely populated locations.
Amazon has been “in talks” to bring Go automation to OTG’s CIBO Express stores at airports, Cineworld’s Regal cinemas, and maybe even baseball stadium concession stands, CNBC reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The idea is to start installing checkout-free tech early next year, and have “hundreds” of stores working by the end of 2020, according to the news channel. One source suggested the upgrade process could take just two weeks.
Amazon, OTG, and Cineworld did not immediately respond to Geek’s request for comment.
An expansion would help grow the online retail giant’s brick-and-mortar presence without relying on building its own stores. It could also establish partnerships with companies that otherwise consider Amazon competition, CNBC said.
And moving into airports certainly makes sense: Hundreds of millions of passengers board flights at the country’s busiest airports every year. And who can be bothered to chat with a cashier or wait in long lines while connecting between flights?
The grab-and-go strategy is effortless—particularly when hauling luggage.
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