Wednesday, March 25, 2020
AWM Smart Shelf Launches Automated Market In OC
Santa Ana-based AWM Smart Shelf (Adroit Worldwide Media), which develops computer vision and machine learning technology, says it has opened up its very first "autonomous micromarket" in Santa Ana, which lets residents of the Nineteen01 luxury apartment community shop for sodas, water, juice, food, and more--all without the need for a clerk. The company--which says it has been planning a launch for many months--said it accelerated its first deployment due to the ongoing requirements for "social distancing" in Orange County. The new "QuickEats" micromarket goes live today at the luxury apartment community owned by Greenwood & McKenzie. The company says its system lets consumersshop as normal and check out by simply walking out of the store, using computer vision technology to track how customers interact with products, and whether they add or subtract items from their cart. The system then automatically charges customers for the items they actually take out from the store using a digital wallet. AWM, which is led by CEO Kevin Howard, was recognized as a 2019 Outstanding Small Technology Company by OCTANE last year.