Amazon Ditches 'Just Walk Out' Checkouts at Its Grocery Stores
Gizmodo
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Summary
Amazon is discontinuing its "Just Walk Out" technology in Amazon Fresh grocery stores, a system that allowed customers to shop and leave without going through a traditional checkout process. This technology, which employs cameras and sensors to monitor purchases, is being replaced with Amazon Dash Carts and self-checkout counters, primarily due to reliability concerns and the high operational costs associated with the "Just Walk Out" system. Despite its initial portrayal as a fully automated solution, it heavily relied on human reviewers, often leading to delayed receipts for customers. The move to phase out this technology comes alongside layoffs within Amazon's Physical Stores Technology team, indicating a strategic shift towards more cost-effective and reliable customer service technologies. This decision does not affect a small number of Amazon Fresh stores in the UK and some Amazon Go stores where "Just Walk Out" technology will continue to be used.
