Posted on 12/21/2017 6:00:08 AM PST by mykroar
Walmart's NYC-based innovation center is experimenting with a cashier-less store concept called Project Kepler, which "aims to reimagine the in-store shopping experience with the help of technologies like computer vision," Recode reports.
Project Kepler is in part aimed at creating a store that would feature no checkout lines or cashiers, but use computer vision to detect which products customers leave the store with and then charge their accounts accordingly. Why it matters: Amazon is also experimenting without cashiers, while roughly 3.5 million Americans operate cash registers for a living.
Recode also reports that Walmart's new start-up subsidiary, called Code 8, is experimenting with "high personalised, one-to-one shopping experiences," that will be marketed to "busy NYC moms."
The local Walmart here has several of the self-checkouts with multiple “helpers”. It does seem more efficient. I ring the bell for the Salvation Army at the store and people will complain to me about them. It reminds me of liberals “People should be prevented from using things that I don’t like”.
Why bother? They'll just pass the cost on to you, the honest customer.
And they’ll still only have 4 or 5 self checkout stands open.
I used to hate the idea of self checkout. Then I started to enjoy not having to deal with grunting, rude cashiers.
...
My issue was always with the grunters in front of me holding up the line.
On a more serious note, this is probably where a lot of entry level as well as many more well paying jobs will end up as the competition for talent heats up with the new tax changes.
“if someone chooses to go for a five-finger discount, Target’s policy is to not intervene. Go figure.”
The point of the lead article is a complete reversal of that issue: They can automatically recognize you upon entering the store, cross-reference you with your billing options, identify what you take, and charge you as you take it from the store. “Shoplifting” evaporates, as “shoplifters” are billed automatically - exactly like everyone else, who just takes what they need and are billed automatically.
Not at that level, anyway. FWIW....
I can't find any recent numbers for Target, but last I saw for Wally was $3 bil to shoplifting. If Target wants to go high tech, fine by me.
What I hate is the grocery bags being stuck together.
I can’t find this Walmart/NYC location. Do you have a location (in Manhattan) for it? TIA.
Walmart has started hiring customer facing employees in my area of Florida (Jacksonville) who no habla ingles. Robots would be a definite improvement on them, IMO.
If I'm buying one or two things I'll do self checkout but I've left a cart of groceries at the front of the store more than once when the lane was closed when I got there.
Minimum.wage.increases.
I do too.
However, this week I am very sick with a bad cold.
EVERYTIME I bought some OTC cold or cough medicine, bells would ring, lights would flash, and I had to wait for a real person to come approve the sale.
This is beyond stupid.
I know it is supposed to deter meth makers, but all it does in reality, is make me wait. The Wal-Mart employee has no idea if I’m actually going to make meth, so what the Hell is the point?
Rhetorical question, because the point is that some politician can say they DID something to stop drugs.
No cashiers but probably 3x the security!
Old news. They are trying to keep up with Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/b?node=16008589011
Not only that but the people who make the bells and flashing lights get rich because of the congress critter they paid off to pass the legislation requiring the bells and flashing lights. It’s all about the money and power and nothing to do with safety and actually protecting the environment. Never forget that.
Oh yeah..."Register 14" in the middle that sells booze and smokes and is always plugged up with "vibrant diversity".
Your Walmart sells booze at the check-out?! Lovely!
That’s why I stopped using the self-check lanes.
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