Amazon’s checkout technology is getting an AI upgrade
What: Just Walk Out has received an upgrade thanks to AI helping improving its accuracy rate
Why it is important: Beware of the equipment cost, which is extremely high.
Amazon has refined its Just Walk Out technology, which facilitates seamless shopping experiences, by integrating an advanced AI model that enhances system accuracy and efficiency. This model uses simultaneous input analysis from various data sources like cameras and shelf sensors, reducing processing times and improving the system’s operational speed. All 170 third-party locations currently employing this technology will receive upgrades within the next month.
This technological enhancement not only boosts accuracy in complex shopping scenarios but also simplifies the overall system, making it more appealing to third-party retailers. Despite its high initial cost, which has deterred widespread adoption, Amazon is strategically shifting focus from its own retail spaces to broader commercial applications, including venues such as hospitals and stadiums. The system's potential for 24-hour service in various settings underscores its utility in high-traffic areas where quick transaction times are crucial.
Moreover, Amazon is continuing to innovate in retail technology by introducing an RFID-powered checkout system suitable for environments where customers prefer browsing before purchasing, such as in clothing and merchandise stores. This move, along with the ongoing improvements to Just Walk Out technology, aims to reduce installation costs and enhance the return on investment for retailers, potentially broadening the market for Amazon's advanced retail technologies.