Yes, exactly that; before you can enter the shop you have to present a QR code from their app or tap your contactless card on the entry barriers. The only staff visible were 3 security guards who were monitoring the entry and exit gates. All very dystopian.
Liked because my nan is 100, she still uses postal orders and cheques to buy things from catalogues and pay her bills. She writes letters to utility companies rather than phone (she's pretty deaf) and still draws her pension out at the local P.O. to keep as cash to pay her carer for shopping etc. Cash only, doesn't trust the banks either.
Greenwich & Utrecht only AFAICS, so I was unlucky to stumble upon the Greenwich one yesterday when I wanted to visit an Aldi. Looks like the company have hoofed quite a lot of investment at the model, though...so they clearly hope it will work and be the future of Aldi shopping for more of us. I stood an watched open-mouthed as people actually entered the shop gate by swiping their contactless to get in!
(Mostly students, apparently)
Don't need to imagine it, see Chinese Social Credit system...its very real and clearly the direction of travel for the rest of the planet
In my old Mum's case, she trusts the bank alright, but just not the Catweazle/electrickery of the invisible contactless transaction.
She doesn't trust them at all. In the slightest for any transaction or to keep her money safe. Around ten years ago I had to get her to deposit the contents of many envelopes and boxes of 20's into an ISA because I was so concerned about burglary/theft/scammers.
I didnt read the wiki, only posted it for those who might not have heard of it
Eurasia, Eastasia & Oceania
Yeah, looks like they're running 2 pilot stores, one of which happens to be in Greenwich. I'd imagine that they're funding the stores with a view to wider roll-out. I've just read that they have recently tweaked the model to include contactless; previously (since introduction in 2022) access had been by app only. I'm assuming that the app has linked payment details to allow the system to work. I'm no expert but it sounds like they're using "smart shelves" and possibly computer aided camera technology to follow/record shoppers purchase. No thanks.
Amazon Fresh. The first chain to use this kind of checkout-less tech and their stores exclusively use it.
Yes because it is a daft idea that doesn't work very well. Another example of companies buying into AI hype that doesn't stand up.
Looks like the idea only works with certain demographics that will be more receptive to the technology.
Here we are.
www.bloomberg.com
Honestly I think this is more about trying to attract customers witha cool gimmick with some vague idea that if it works they will save money on staff in the long term. But it won't work.
Not really convinced about that; seems like a load of investment for footfall through 1 shop in Greenwich/Utrecht. Pilots are usually that, aren't they? Snagging/evaluation exercises with a view to roll-out. It'll be the wage savings that gives them a corporate hard-on.
Once again, the actual issue, highlighted here, is obscured by "they're bringing in a Chinese-style social credit system you know" conspiracist nonsense.Here we are.
Amazon's AI Stores Seemed Too Magical. And They Were.
The 1,000 contractors in India working on the company’s Just Walk Out technology offer a stark reminder that AI isn’t always what it seems.
It will be wage savings they are looking for long term, but it won't work as there are too many issues. I don't have an issue with the idea itself in theory if it worked but it doesn't.
Here we are.
Amazon's AI Stores Seemed Too Magical. And They Were.
The 1,000 contractors in India working on the company’s Just Walk Out technology offer a stark reminder that AI isn’t always what it seems.
www.theverge.com
It may well be conspiracist nonsense. Nevertheless, it creates the type of systems and the capacity for "social credit" type programmes. Sure, it may never happen... given the benign nature of capitalism and the state... er...
