Comments
TheTeenageOldman t1_jb394fl wrote
Don't understand why Amazon feels the need to operate what's basically an upscale bodega...
Luke90210 t1_jb3cpkf wrote
And without the bodega cat :(
spicytoastaficionado t1_jb4vdl6 wrote
As u/pixel_of_moral_decay's comment said, it was ultimately a proof-of-concept for their "Just Walk Out" technology.
The long-term plan for Amazon is to sell this tech to retailers across the world.
They've had five years to fine-tune the weight sensors, deep-learning, cameras, etc.
_allycat t1_jb3szuz wrote
To test their creepy AI surveillance checkout system.
thebruns t1_jb3loip wrote
They didn't even manage to be cheaper
Shawn_NYC t1_jb3vqs6 wrote
That was the surprise to me. I visited a couple times but outside of the novelty, I couldn't see a reason to ever visit one.
Tatar_Kulchik t1_jb69zhn wrote
i know some office workers liek it to be able to quickly pick up something to eat and no liens
Tatar_Kulchik t1_jb69wym wrote
you've answered your own question- 'upscale'
phoenixmatrix t1_jbbl49m wrote
I love Amazon Go. Go in, pick stuff, get out. Using the palm scanner I don't even need to take out my phone or wallet. Great if I just want a quick snack or drink.
My only issue with them is the way they cycle their inventory. If I want popcorn chicken, its a gamble if they're gonna have it or not and seems semi-random. The breakfast options completely suck too.
But I really like the store's concept.
baofa13 t1_jb3ics0 wrote
Hopefully they start selling this technology to pharmacies so Duane Reade and others can unlock everything again!
HusdonRiver t1_jb4v23c wrote
People will take anything not bolted down. And then they come back with bolt cutters.
baofa13 t1_jb4ye2b wrote
Not if they can’t get in without being identified and tied to a credit card. That’s the beauty of amazons tech
kiklion t1_jb5zcx6 wrote
I thought NYC had a ‘must accept cash’ law passed not too long ago? How would this circumvent that? Or am I mistaken?
baofa13 t1_jb62w39 wrote
That’s a stupid law that should not be in place
Tatar_Kulchik t1_jb6a3zp wrote
Well, their logic was illegal immigrants and disppropriation amount of poorer people and minorities are non or under banked and therefore rely on cash
[deleted] t1_jb6z01f wrote
Indeed. I am homeless and a good chunk of my income is in cash (yes income, I work). I cannot describe how frustrating it is being mad hungry and being a vegetarian and not being able to buy my damn burrito bowl at chipotle. It also caused problems when Manhattan Mini switched to not accepting cash. It made paying my bill a circus to get money onto a card to pay and was part of the reason I closed my unit last month. So even though it's law, some folks still don't all oblige.
kiklion t1_jb66eof wrote
Yeah, but it is a law. So not sure how they get around it. Could have a machine that converts cash to a card but that still doesn’t identify people.
> https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/Prohibition-of-Cashless-Establishments.page
phoenixmatrix t1_jbbl8ib wrote
Amazon Go doesn't have much worth stealing. If it was used in a legit pharmacy people would just jump the gates.
baofa13 t1_jbblgf8 wrote
Wow that solves like an unsolvable problem!
MemoLePewPew5 t1_jb35ykd wrote
“Im shocked” I claimed, with a straight face.
With all the tech layoffs, Im not surprised. Also, pretty sure the brains atop figured they can just save costs & take all that merchandise into the Whole Foods stores, saving on rent munnies, products and everything else in-between.
thereallysososantini t1_jb4xj02 wrote
A lot of hate for Amazon Go stores in this thread, but working in an office complex that has one has been great. Food and drink are far cheaper than any place else in the neighborhood. I can pop in and (yes) pick up milk at lunch to take home, a coffee, a fountain soda, a soup, a salad, bagel, yogurt, ice cream, headache pills or a Slim Jim for lunch. The selection is great, the prices are great, and the just walk out tech is amazing. You can literally be in and out in under a minute most of the time.
I love Amazon Go.
kjuneja t1_jb6lfzr wrote
Great for kids too.
Family from out of city thinks it's magic.
1 in 4 times the sensors miss an item too. Big saves there
Burrito_Chingon t1_jb7sgo6 wrote
I went to Amazon Go next to WTC last year and was a great experience.
Went to the store in the morning since I was in hurry and didn't want to go to local bakery due to wait on the line. Took me only less that 4 minutes to pickup what I need. The food quality was similar like getting from airport but overall food was fresh and have no complaints.
I wish we can have this we're I live.
pompcaldor t1_jb4qpvr wrote
There are 10 of these things in Manhattan (including the combined Starbucks ones). They’re closing 2.
suh_dude1111 t1_jb5k57x wrote
Any idea which ones in nyc closing? I tried searching but couldn’t find an answer.
[deleted] t1_jb6kni8 wrote
[deleted]
D_Ashido t1_jb5mdn6 wrote
They didn't even tell us the location of the NYC stores that are closing. Here are the rest of the details they skimped on:
> "In New York City, the two Amazon Go stores at the cross-section of Maiden Lane and Pearl and on Park Ave South will permanently close down on April 1, Gizmodo reported." ~ K. Masing on 3/6/23.
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Location 1: 110 Maiden Ln
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Location 2: 315 Park Ave S
GVas22 t1_jb4mu9a wrote
The tech was kind of neat but I didn't really see the point.
They're mostly located around office buildings rather than residential areas. Nobody was going in to grab a half gallon of milk during work hours, and their lunch selection was a bunch of pre-made refrigerated sandwiches and wraps.
Also, it's not like check out times are crazy long at a standard bodega and this was a solution.
Strawbalicious t1_jb4s1vg wrote
I'm one of the few that lives close to one of these, and I pop in once a week to get some snacks, fountain soda, and some frozen dinners and dessert. Prices are comparable to other convenience stores and the novelty definitely is, well, novel. But I've never once seen it busy.
The_Wee t1_jb4yxj9 wrote
It was good for breakfast on the way into the office. Grab a yogurt, the cup with 2 hard boiled eggs and spinach, and when it was on special a coffee.
kjuneja t1_jb58u9v wrote
The one by Brookfield Mall is popping during lunch hour
HKtoSFtoNY t1_jb3lebj wrote
time for it to Go
Classic_Weakness_455 t1_jb4vx50 wrote
There's a huge Amazon version of this in NJ, it's a game changer. Totally different when you go to the size of a real grocery store, it's going to change everything once it gains steam and gets implemented everywhere.
Tatar_Kulchik t1_jb6a7zr wrote
where?
Classic_Weakness_455 t1_jb6g5qv wrote
Paramus, they're building another one nearby that location.
Seriously mind blowing. 🤯. I wasn't impressed with the Amazon bodegas but it's a different experience when you're hand picking the fruit, ordering meat from the butcher, going to the bathroom, etc. Literally just put things in your carryout bag and walk right out. Soooo seamless and convenient.
shant_jan t1_jb39z0m wrote
god the commercials for those were so strange
Tatar_Kulchik t1_jb6ad0f wrote
never saw one. what made it strange?
shant_jan t1_jb6b95h wrote
it was a ballerina-model joyously dancing through what looked like a particularly drab looking convenience store to grab some prepackaged "fresh" food and tap her card at the kiosk to checkout without any cashier.
like the selling point was that these stores had all the fun of a bus station Quick Check but without any people around.
Tatar_Kulchik t1_jb6rj2k wrote
that does sound strange lol
[deleted] t1_jb3el5q wrote
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payeco t1_jbaoy0u wrote
IMO the entire purpose of these stores was as a stop to impress your parents when they visit from the suburbs.
mallgoethe t1_jblgoff wrote
post-modernity won't be punished, post-modernity is the punihsment
MrFishpaw t1_jb3nryu wrote
I always thought these were creepy and dystopian. I don't need 300 cameras watching me pick out a fucking sandwich.
ForlornKumquat t1_jb4e5bz wrote
You already have 300 cameras watching you every time you go to any major store. At least these do something cool that actually benefits you.
ShadownetZero t1_jb3qenr wrote
The technology is amazing.
2heads1shaft t1_jb43191 wrote
Uh, you do, to pay. That’s the point. If you don’t like it, then you don’t go in.
pixel_of_moral_decay t1_jb3e9l1 wrote
This was always a place to test technology they hoped to eventually sell as a service to merchants.
They don’t need it anymore, they have WholeFoods which can do the job.
What’s odd is how long they kept it going.
Amazon eventually wants a cut of every stores revenue by powering them the same way AWS powers so much of the internet.