(DT) – Shoppers at Amazon-owned Whole Foods may soon be waving their hands about at the checkout in order to pay for their items. The company is currently testing scanning technology that can identify a human hand, sources claiming to have knowledge of the matter told the New York Post this week. The system, code-named “Orville,” would match hand-related data with customer accounts, automatically deducting the cost of purchases as the shopper waves their five-fingered body part over the scanning machine.
The goal is greater speed and convenience, as shoppers wouldn’t need to fumble about for cash, a card, or a smartphone to pay. Amazon wants to introduce the biometric technology to its Whole Foods stores from the beginning of next year, the Post said in its report. Shoppers won’t be required to touch any surfaces when scanning their hand as the technology uses computer vision and depth geometry to collect all of the necessary data. It then links it to the customer’s account for quick and easy transactions at checkout. Tests are currently being carried out at the company’s New York City offices, with Amazon employees using their hands to purchase food and drinks from specially designed vending machines. READ MORE
