Retailers race against Amazon to automate stores

[TalkRadio]

SEATTLE — To see what it’s like inside stores where sensors and artificial intelligence have replaced cashiers, shoppers have to trek to Amazon Go, the internet retailer’s experimental convenience shop in downtown Seattle. Soon, though, more technology-driven businesses like Amazon Go may be coming to them.

A global race to automate stores is underway among several of the world’s top retailers and small tech start-ups, which are motivated to shave labor costs and minimize shoppers’ frustrations, like waiting for cashiers. They are also trying to prevent Amazon from dominating the physical retail world as it does online shopping.

Companies are testing robots that help keep shelves stocked, as well as apps that let shoppers ring up items with a smartphone. High-tech systems like the one used by Amazon Go completely automate the checkout process. China, which has its own ambitious e-commerce companies, is emerging as an especially fertile place for these retail experiments.

If they succeed, these new technologies could add further uncertainty to the retail work force, which is already in flux because of the growth of online shopping. An analysis last year by the World Economic Forum said 30 to 50 percent of the world’s retail jobs could be at risk once technologies like automated checkout were fully embraced.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/technology/retailer-stores-automation-amazon.html

 

[HisArpy]

Eventually you'll be able to tap, tap, tap on your smart-fridge and everything will be delivered by a robot When you put the stuff away, those items will be cross-checked against your order to ensure that everything was correct and delivered on time.

 

[Captainnumnuts]

Amazon's going down. They will pay for their insolence!

 

[WoundedKnee]

Eventually you'll be able to tap, tap, tap on your smart-fridge and everything will be delivered by a robot When you put the stuff away, those items will be cross-checked against your order to ensure that everything was correct and delivered on time.

Most likely, not that far off of the mark.

 

[Captainnumnuts]

Eventually you'll be able to tap, tap, tap on your smart-fridge and everything will be delivered by a robot When you put the stuff away, those items will be cross-checked against your order to ensure that everything was correct and delivered on time.

Most likely, not that far off of the mark.

This reminds me of that doggie commercial. You know, the one where the dog goes to the fridge to get his master some beer and ends up drinking it?

 

[Chancellor_Palpatine]

Eventually you'll be able to tap, tap, tap on your smart-fridge and everything will be delivered by a robot When you put the stuff away, those items will be cross-checked against your order to ensure that everything was correct and delivered on time.

The fridge component was available two years ago.

https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/5/1...-hub-fridge-mastercard-app-groceries-ces-2016

Drone delivery is slated to ramp up this year.

 

[WoundedKnee]

I think I remember the commercial, but it did not impress me as much as the gifted Shetland Pony eating the doghouse.
"Is he mean?"
"CHA-A-A!"

 

[Hypoxia]

Most trying to deliver to our home via GPS get lost. I don't expect drones from Amazon or Kroger or Lowe's to do any better. Delivery'bots may work down in the anthill cities and burbs but not up here in the mountainous boonies. Not for a couple years, anyway.