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Introducing Amazon Go and the worlds most advanced shopping technology
- Thread starter Exile20
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Like they do on amazon's website. Just "clip" them ahead of time
JonnyDBrit
Member
To be honest, while I understand the reasons for it and would probably be kinda interested to use it myself, I do think there are some particular concerns that would need addressing.
Here's the thing: A reliance on a mobile phone - particularly a smartphone - and an amazon account for access, creates an implicit block on access for anyone who does not have either of those things. Yeah, some stores already have membership restrictions, such as Costco, but I would wager a successful Amazon Go would have more impact on regular supermarkets, and I'm not sure I particularly like the possibility that accessing the most basic source of food in most people's lives could be blocked by both an effective paywall, and membership restrictions as well. Unless new businesses arose specifically premised on permitting open access in contrast, I feel like that would contribute to a lot of people struggling with their finances even more.
Here's the thing: A reliance on a mobile phone - particularly a smartphone - and an amazon account for access, creates an implicit block on access for anyone who does not have either of those things. Yeah, some stores already have membership restrictions, such as Costco, but I would wager a successful Amazon Go would have more impact on regular supermarkets, and I'm not sure I particularly like the possibility that accessing the most basic source of food in most people's lives could be blocked by both an effective paywall, and membership restrictions as well. Unless new businesses arose specifically premised on permitting open access in contrast, I feel like that would contribute to a lot of people struggling with their finances even more.
Yeah I imagine there'd be a bit of a front lobby area where people would linger for a second and check their bill before walking out the door.
Anyway, at this point there are basically three possible futures:
1. We regulate technological progress out of existence to try and preserve archaic, menial jobs
2. Complete plutocracy, with all money flowing to our robot overlords.
3. Universal basic income to provide for everyone off of taxes collected from the robot overlords.
We better hope for number three. Self-driving cars and automated stores are the beginning, but they won't be the end. Fully automated fast-food kitchens and robotic warehouses/shelf stocking aren't that far off, either.
A buzzword for 'a lot of sensors and a ton of big data'.
I think it's a catch all term for using multiple sensors of unspecified types to aggregate info - so probably either nfc or RFID on the package, cameras around to use computer vision, maybe even utilizing your phone's gyro to help coordinate motion.
BoosterDuck
Banned
Yup, if my phone runs out of battery while I'm in the store Amazon is fucked lol. Or if I drop it and it breaks, or my mobile data plan is up, or it reboots for a system update.
I don't believe this will pan out well, Smartphones are still too fragile and unreliable for this kind of stuff.
triplestation
Member
I'm gonna go in the store and turn off my phone hhehhhehehhehehehe
I'd imagine a simple backup will be a card they give you. When you come in, swipe the card and put in your password at some kiosk, and something similar when you leave.
But you're right, this is the sort of problem that absolutely needs to be solved, and solved well, for this to be viable and scalable.
Well the way it's described, I think once they can assign you an ID on their closed circuit database, you could turn off your phone and it would still work. Like Uber, once the ride is accepted, it doesn't matter if your phone is on.
False Witness
Member
Shit, my local Kroger has that. It's pretty great. They sometimes give you more than what you ordered for the same price. You don't even have to walk into the store; they bring your stuff out to you and load it into the car.
Educate more people and move an unskilled labor force to a skilled/educated labor force.
It always amazes me how the US was the only industrialized nation that never made the big jump into skilled educated labor in the big way that other industrialized nations like Japan, Germany, and South Korea did in the 80's/90's. China and other countries that were behind the US are now already there and surpassing us in skilled labor.
Nothing stopped the industrial revolution, nothing will stop the automated revolution.
The only solution to losing jobs is to educate more people and move them up the ladder.
Vicetrailia
Member
I'm sure they have many answers for cases of fraud.
This is exciting tech no doubt that came faster than many thought. We truly need policies to catch up with technology (and embrace it, not rub against it).
This is exciting tech no doubt that came faster than many thought. We truly need policies to catch up with technology (and embrace it, not rub against it).
People would rather to pay more to keep people fed and dressed in jail than have them close by. I wouldn't be surprised if being poor becomes a literal felony at some point and the poor are just corralled into prisons/camps to keep them from revolting.
Cars? think drones.
You can't stop the future. And we shouldn't try it either. If you want to stop this, you are just ignoring the benefits. Which include no longer needing human labor for such menial tasks. What legislation should do is ensure that we can handle that switch.
JordanN
Banned
They already are.
Wal-Mart have been trying to copy Amazon now, by having people pick out your groceries/items online and then come to pick them up. If this [Amazon Go] gains traction, they're no doubt going to jump into it as well.
There is also self scanning in chains around the world.
Unless I'm missing something they won't exist. You'll have them applied just like an Amazon sale.
Ray Wonder
Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
JordanN
Banned
The right will complain "but I don't want to pay for poor people! Just work harder you fools!"
And that's when automation reveals its ugly side. You'll have rich people quickly trying to automate everything while killing off any other alternative, leading to an oligarchy on life.
SoRuffShoNuff
Member
How does this keep someone from using the same coupons over and over if you never have to surrender it?
GameAddict411
Member
The beginning of the end of retail jobs. Why would groceries pay for cashier when they can have this technology? I could see this taking off in the next 5 years or so.
Ravensmash
Member
This is so cool and I hope Amazon do this in the UK soon.
How prevalent are self service check outs in the US out of interest?
I only tend to pop into supermarkets or stores these days, but when I do (and I use self service kiosks) there's like 1 person manning multiple aisles of checkouts.
You're still going to need physical store staff (initially), just for basic customer service/making sure that things aren't breaking.
How prevalent are self service check outs in the US out of interest?
I only tend to pop into supermarkets or stores these days, but when I do (and I use self service kiosks) there's like 1 person manning multiple aisles of checkouts.
You're still going to need physical store staff (initially), just for basic customer service/making sure that things aren't breaking.
Pretty damn prevalent where I live. I love self-checkout.
adamsappel
Member
I often go out of my way to shop at a supermarket that has self-scanning wands. My local branch doesn't offer it, probably for fear of shoplifting and abuse (I have accidentally not paid for items, but never failed a random audit of my cart). With stores having conveyor belts that check the weight of scanned items, there's no reason grocery carts couldn't do the same; there are also scanners that will automatically detect and scan larger items left on the bottom shelf of carts.
Minimum basic income is the way forward, not desperately holding onto menial jobs.
Minimum basic income is the way forward, not desperately holding onto menial jobs.
It's pretty easy when you have full transaction records for a person.
GameAddict411
Member
Look at the US government. They want to destroy every social program they could get their hands on and you are talking about post work world? Maybe read up on the world current economy. It's not happening in any country anytime soon let alone the US. If retail and factory jobs cease to exist because of automation, then there should be something to replace so that people can make a living or else the economy will collapse.
Amazon is one of the largest technology companies in the world, with their hands in a lot of things. There's a big focus on big data / machine learning / automation / cloud computing, which feeds into all of this stuff.
They've been doing it for a long time too. It's no secret, it's just not what the general public thinks about when they think Amazon. When the general public thinks Amazon, they think of a store, and maybe a service provider (for Prime Music / Video / etc). When anyone remotely involved in tech thinks of Amazon, they think Amazon Web Services, which is the backbone of practically half the internet by now.
SoRuffShoNuff
Member
No it isn't. For example I get coupons for baby formula that is usually like 5 bucks off a bottle that retails for 6 bucks. We have about 6 of them on hand right now mailed to us from signing up for various promotions. If I never have to turn those coupons in what's stopping me from using them 10 times instead of the legit 6 I have?
Username1198
Member
This is good no more people bitching about 2 hour late delivery
You are basically arguing my point. Easing the transition means helping out those that are affected.
BoosterDuck
Banned
well.....with who was elected president just recently I doubt we'll get an 'easy' transition anytime soon
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
Cool concept, but Yep first thing I thought of was RIP cashiers
Code attached to coupon that you typed to ur amazon account
God Dayumm
Banned
Your user ID. Same mechanism that stops you from using a discount on amazon several times
I'm about to rant. I find automated everything interesting, but the current state of our government and society is not prepared for a future technologists and un-caring business people are preparing to will into existence. The USA is incapable of regulating the much simpler, businesses that exist today.
Outsourced manufacturing jobs at near-slave wages and automated retail eliminating service jobs is the perfect combination for Corporate America.
At what point do we admit this won't be a smooth transition. It's easy to talk about high-paying, educated jobs, but when is that going to happen in an America that is privatizing schools and destroying the public school system, so rich kids can work for Google and Apple while everyone else lives on the dole.
In a few generations the less elite will be on the dole as well.
Globalization and automation are the goal for all entrenched, educated wealthy people whose children will live as modern aristocrats. Remember the good old-days when all great thinkers, philosophers, and economists were born from nobility, clergy, and wealth, you know the class of people who are smarter with the greatest potential to contribute to this society. The people with more money and power.
Outsourced manufacturing jobs at near-slave wages and automated retail eliminating service jobs is the perfect combination for Corporate America.
At what point do we admit this won't be a smooth transition. It's easy to talk about high-paying, educated jobs, but when is that going to happen in an America that is privatizing schools and destroying the public school system, so rich kids can work for Google and Apple while everyone else lives on the dole.
In a few generations the less elite will be on the dole as well.
Globalization and automation are the goal for all entrenched, educated wealthy people whose children will live as modern aristocrats. Remember the good old-days when all great thinkers, philosophers, and economists were born from nobility, clergy, and wealth, you know the class of people who are smarter with the greatest potential to contribute to this society. The people with more money and power.
They get unique codes? But ideally everything is automated including receiving those coupons.
Better tell parents to get richer, live in neighborhoods with public schools that offer coding and provide access to the internet and modern technology.
If your family isn't wealthy, on average, you are fucked.
I think we're already there.
JordanN
Banned
I just wondered, will automation kill tipping?
What happens when a robot asks for a tip? They could have cameras and record your face if you say no.
Username1198
Member
CadetMahoney
Member
They should be more concerned about super-duper "tin foil" coated bags/pockets to block any RFID signals getting through etc. Unless they're super anal and every ID is pinged every second and if an un-bought product disappears for more than 5 seconds a flag is raised.
That would be a good solution and I hope it works like that.
Private interests to do this will far outpace the government's interest to restructure the job force/update regulations.
No one has come up with a plan to ease the transition from manufacturing jobs, and we've had more than half a century to do this.
We have killed cities in this country, Cleveland, Detroit, Camden, with most politicians doing absolutely nothing/accelerating the economic pain.
When this happens, no one will stand up for working people. It will take another Great Depression before anyone considers reform.
This is also gambling on leaders being in place to understand this need to reform.
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