US tech giant Amazon is set to opened a futuristic grocery store that uses its new ‘just walk out’ technology to make shopping more efficient. Customers are able to just pick up items and leave without having to queue up or wait in line to pay at the checkout.
After swiping a unique QR code provided by an accompanying smart-phone app when entering, customers are then free to take what items they need as their movements are being tracked by in-store cameras linked to a computer system similar to those found in self-driving cars. Through the use of deep learning algorithms and computer sensors, the system is able to detect and record what items shoppers pick out or return and automatically add them to their virtual cart. It then automatically sends the bill to their Amazon Prime account upon leaving the store.
One shop located in Seattle is currently in its Beta phase with plans to open up to the public in early 2017. Its success may lead to similar stores being constructed across the US and potentially the UK.
