The Flash Bistro in the Student Center has recently undergone a major renovation and implemented Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. This innovative technology allows customers to make purchases with just a palm print, a tap of a credit card, or a Flashcard. As customers walk through the store, they can simply grab the items they want and leave without interacting with any cashiers or self-checkouts.
Kristin Burney, the assistant director of retail at Culinary Services, explained that this transformation was part of a plan to introduce new technology into the store. While some customers initially felt uneasy about the process, they quickly became more comfortable after receiving accurate receipts. The Amazon One system enables customers to enter, identify themselves, and pay solely using their palms.
The store is equipped with a large number of cameras that monitor customers as they move through the space. Even if a group enters together, the cameras track each individual and charge the account of the person who tapped them in. Built-in scales on the product shelves track which items are taken by customers, ensuring the correct amount is charged. Additionally, these shelves help Culinary Services understand which products are most popular among students, allowing for better stocking decisions.
Despite using Flashcards for payment, the cameras do not employ facial recognition or store any photos from the school’s database. Instead, a combination of computer vision, sensor fusion, and generative AI makes this technology possible. The products available in the store are consistent across all campus markets and are not sourced from Amazon. Burney hopes that the convenience offered by the store, such as no lines and extended hours
