Unstaffed shop to open in Tokyo on trial basis
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A Japanese railway network operator is testing an unmanned store in a Tokyo railway station. The store will use artificial intelligence in place of cashiers to transact with customers in a trial expected to last about two months. The venture was opened by East Japan Railway, otherwise known as JR East, this week at the Akabane Station in Tokyo’s north.
It has some 80 cameras mounted in the ceiling and on shelves recording customer behaviour before the AI software detects which items customers select.
Customers pay using stored value cards issue by railway companies for transit.
If the concept proves a success, JR East says it will begin rolling the technology out in stations across the city.
The store is loosely modelled on unmanned stores opened in Mainland China, along with the Amazon Go concept in the US.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which company is running this unmanned store trial in Tokyo?
Which company is running this unmanned store trial in Tokyo?
The venture was opened by East Japan Railway, also known as JR East. They are a Japanese railway network operator, testing this concept in one of their stations. The trial began this week.
Q.How do customers pay for their purchases in this new store?
How do customers pay for their purchases in this new store?
Customers pay using stored value cards. These cards are specifically issued by railway companies for transit purposes. This payment method streamlines transactions in the unmanned store environment.
Q.What is the duration expected for this initial trial of the unmanned store?
What is the duration expected for this initial trial of the unmanned store?
The trial of the unmanned store is expected to last about two months. JR East will then evaluate its success before deciding on a wider rollout of the technology.
Q.How does the store's technology track what customers select to buy?
How does the store's technology track what customers select to buy?
The store uses around 80 cameras, mounted on both the ceiling and shelves, to record customer behaviour. AI software then detects which specific items customers choose from the displays.
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