Re:Inside Amazon Go
by chiefofgxbxl on Sunday January 21, 2018 @02:56PM
(#16199639)
Given Amazon's knowledge in warehouse operations and supply chain, I wouldn't guess they plan to use this technology widespread in grocery stores. At that point, they could take a simpler approach than all the cameras and computer vision, by instead treating a grocery store like a warehouse or vending machine (no human shoppers like other grocers today who offer delivery). People enter their orders online, and stop by in person to collect their cart at the front desk. All the food would be behind closed doors. Only downside to that is customers who want to leisure shop and browse for new items.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
I don’t see this being viable. Most people shop with at least a small amount of whimsy. This is why end-caps and samples and grocery store psychology exist. And I think this is a feature, not a bug: there is something satisfying about picking out the right bananas, realizing Brussels sprouts would go well with dinner, substituting ingredients on the fly, etc.
the online shopping experience has none of this, which is why I think grocery delivery has not yet taken over. Food is visual and visceral, and doesn’t lend itself to drop-down menus.
The whole store is designed for you to run back and forth finding and discovering items.
Re:Inside Amazon Go
by aslkdjaslkdj on Sunday January 21, 2018 @04:25PM
(#16200128)
They are testing that in Seattle as well.
Re:Inside Amazon Go
by pavel_lishin on Sunday January 21, 2018 @02:59PM
(#16199663)
That will probably be an option, but I'd wager that a lot of purchases are snap decisions. You want hungry people in your store, looking at all your attractively packaged food.