The Security of Amazon Go

The Security of Amazon Go

The convenience store of the future has some hefty security.

Yesterday Amazon's first brick-and-mortar convenience store, opened its doors. Amazon Go is a 1,800 square-foot mini-market packed with shelves of items you would commonly find at a the corner store, but Amazon took the idea of "convenience" and made it, well, more convenient.

The new Amazon Go store has no lines and no cashiers and touts the fact that all you have to do is literally grab what you need and go. But how does it work? With Amazon's "Just Walk Out Technology," which is basically just a bunch of security measures.

Here's the breakdown on the security inside Amazon Go:

The first thing you are greeted by at the front door is a row of three turnstiles, which are activated by using a unique QR Code found in the Amazon Go app. These turnstiles keep those who are not set up with the Amazon Go app out of the store while letting those who have downloaded the app and linked it to their Amazon account in. These turnstiles are what register what users are in the store and when they leave.

When a user enters the store, the are encouraged to pick up and put back as many items as they want. When an item is picked up, the store automatically adds it to the user's virtual shopping cart. If it is returned to the shelf, it will be removed from the online shopping cart. When the shopper leaves the store, they usually receive a receipt of their purchase within just a couple minutes.

The ceiling of the store is covered with cameras that watch your every move while you are in the store. Using the QR code you scanned at the turnstile, the cameras can help register which user is picking up what item. The cameras work in tandem with the turnstiles to ensure what you left the store with is what you are paying for.

Amazon won't say much more about how this video surveillance system works, other than to say it involves sophisticated computer vision and machine learning software. This means that there isn't any tracking chips on the merchandise in the store. It is the placement of items on the shelves and the cameras in the ceiling that keeps track of who picked up what.  

Some reporters have attempted, with the permission of Amazon, to shoplift from the store. The New York Times' Nick Wingfield wrote that he attempted to steal a four-pack of vanilla soda while wrapping it with a shopping bag with it was still on the shelf and then tucking it under his arm while walking out of the store. His experiment failed and minutes later, he received a notification that he'd been charged for the soda.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

  • Access Control Technology

    As we move swiftly toward the end of 2024, the security industry is looking at the trends in play, what might be on the horizon, and how they will impact business opportunities and projections. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3