Store Checkers Could Be History With Amazon’s ‘GO’ Project

Amazon is again showing it's thinking outside the box, and definitely looking to the future with it's ideas for drones delivering packages. They're also definitely watching the labor trends when it comes to minimum wage.

While cities like Seattle, Sea-Tac, San Francisco and others raise their minimum wage to $15 or levels close to it, Amazon has launched what's called the "GO" project, which features automated checkout where you just scan your phone, and away you go.

While numerous companies are working on automated food preparation machines (some have already been implemented in certain chains), Amazon is the first to develop a truly "human less" checkout system.

 It differs from the standard checkout in that you scan each item you place in your cart with your phone using an app, and when you're done, you just leave.  No check stands, no waiting in line, no delays. AND no correct change, or waiting for the person in front of you to present their 37 money saving coupons.

Just about every major retail or grocery chain has self-checkout stands, but they still demand anywhere from 1 to 3 attendants in case the irritating computer lady says "please place item in the bagging area", then doesn't give you enough time and says "please wait for assistance" and stops your process.

Amazon GO is different because the ENTIRE process is automated.  Far few human hands involved. According to the website androidauthority.com,  Amazon has already launched a brick and mortar store (it opened for Amazon workers in 2013) in which there are NO checkouts or tellers.

Apparently it's slated to open to the public sometime this year.  It's located at 2131 7th Ave in Seattle.  Some experts say we're a few years away from this becoming mainstream, but many economists say if labor groups keep demanding more and more wage hikes for limited skill workers, especially ones beyond the capabilities of stores to keep pace with, you will quickly see more and more automation.