Amazon Fresh

2024: Shops without Amazon cashiers turned out to be a hoax - low-paid Hindus tracked purchases through cameras

In early April 2024, it became known that Amazon would abandon the use of Just Walk Out technology based on artificial intelligence, which allows purchases without cashiers, in Amazon Fresh grocery stores. It turned out that these outlets actually turned out to be a hoax, and the actions of buyers were monitored by low-paid Hindus.

The Just Walk Out system assumes that the buyer simply takes the goods he needs, and payment is automatically charged through the smartphone app at the exit from the store. Computer vision tools, special sensors and deep learning algorithms are responsible for the operation of the platform. It was claimed that AI technology allows you to recognize the products that a visitor takes and form a check. This eliminates the need to wait in the queue at the checkout.

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Amazon

But in fact, it turned out that the work of the Just Walk Out platform is controlled by more than 1000 workers from India. They track through cameras what products customers choose and make the necessary adjustments to the check. According to The Information, for every 1,000 purchases, there are approximately 700 checks/adjustments from low-paid workers, although Amazon initially calculated that the number of such cases would be about 50. Thus, the AI system was unable to demonstrate the expected effectiveness. Plus, significant equipment costs are required.

So Amazon will ditch Just Walk Out technology in favour of Dash Carts smart carts. They will be able to scan the goods inside and form checks. As a result, store visitors will not have to wait for their turn at the checkout - the debiting of funds from the account will be carried out automatically.^[1]

2020: Announcement of the first grocery store with merchandise recognition carts

In late August 2020, Amazon launched its first grocery Amazon Fresh store in Los Angeles. To begin with, the store opened for invited buyers only.

Fresh retail chain to allow Amazon to test smart trolleys Amazon Dash Cart, which features a display, cameras and scales. They recognize the products put in the cart and allow you to skip queue to the checkout. The amount of purchases in such a cart is debited from the card automatically, as is the case with Amazon Go stores, and the check comes to e-mail. Both retail chains organize this process with using Amazon's own technology called Just Walk Out, which was first used in Amazon Go.

In addition, Amazon introduced new Alexa features to customers, which help you manage your shopping lists. In-store shoppers can view their Alexa list through the Amazon app or through a smart trolley that removes selected items from the list during making purchases. Also, devices are located throughout the store Amazon Echo Show, where you can ask any question to the AI assistant.

To attract local buyers, Amazon will conduct a newsletter email invitations. Purchases in the new store will be possible make both on the ground and on the Internet.

At Amazon Fresh, we used years of experience to ensure consistently low prices for everyone and free same-day grocery delivery for Amazon Prime members, company officials said. if customers use an Amazon Prime Rewards Visa card or Amazon Prime Store card when buying, then they also receive a cashback of 5% of the purchase.

In addition, pickup services are in effect. There are also three online order outlets under the Fresh brand.^[2]

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