Amazon Ditches Just Walk Out Tech in Grocery Stores, Shifts to Shopping Carts with Scanners

Amazon is phasing out its "Just Walk Out" cashier-less technology from Amazon Fresh grocery stores. The system relied on cameras and sensors to track what customers picked up, but had issues with reliability and expense.

Just Walk Out technology will remain in some Amazon Fresh stores in the UK and Amazon Go convenience stores, but most Fresh locations in the US will switch to using Dash Carts - a scanner in the shopping cart to tally items.

Amazon confirmed it is moving away from Just Walk Out tech and towards Dash Carts and self-checkout counters. A spokesperson cited wanting to roll out their "smart-shopping carts".

Just Walk Out struggled to deliver on the promised automation, still requiring hundreds of remote cashiers in India to rewatch videos and confirm purchases when the AI failed.

The shift may indicate Amazon looking to expand its grocery footprint and compete with major chains like Walmart and Kroger, by moving away from expensive experimental tech.