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

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • 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.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.