Technologies

Here’s Why Amazon Wants To Kill the Barcode

Barcodes work well for people, but not robots.

Robots may be the future, but robotic arms are apparently no good at using the good ol’ barcode. Barcodes can be hard to find and can be affixed to oddly shaped products, something robots can’t troubleshoot very well.

As a result, Amazon said Friday that it has a plan to kill the barcode.

Using pictures of items in Amazon warehouses to train a computer model, the e-commerce giant has developed a camera system that can monitor items flowing one-by-one down conveyor belts to make sure they match their images. Eventually, Amazon’s AI experts and roboticists want to combine the technology with robots that identify items while picking them up and turning them around.

«Solving this problem, so robots can pick up items and process them without needing to find and scan a barcode, is fundamental,» said Nontas Antonakos, an applied science manager in Amazon’s computer vision group in Berlin. «It will help us get packages to customers more quickly and accurately.»

The system, called multi-modal identification, isn’t going to fully replace barcodes soon. Products in Amazon warehouses will need to have barcodes as long as outside companies that make and ship them rely on the technology to identify and track stock. Amazon’s new system is currently in use in facilities in Barcelona, Spain, and Hamburg, Germany, the company said, adding that it’s already speeding up the time it takes to process packages there. The technology will be shared across Amazon’s businesses, so it’s possible you could one day see a version of it at a Whole Foods or another Amazon-owned chain with in-person stores.

Amazon has built computer vision into other products. You can ask an Echo Show smart display, «Alexa, what am I holding?» to get help recognizing objects around the house. The feature is called Show and Tell and was designed with vision impaired people in mind. Smart phone makers and social media companies have also included AI features in camera and photo apps, categorizing photos automatically, for example.

The problem that the system eliminates — incorrect items coming down the line to be sent to customers — doesn’t happen too often, Amazon says. But even infrequent mistakes add up to significant slowdowns when considering just how many items a single warehouse processes in one day.

Amazon’s AI experts had to start by building up a library of images of products, something the company hadn’t had a reason to create prior to this project. The images themselves as well as data about the products’ dimensions fed the earliest versions of the algorithm, and the cameras continually capture new images of items to train the model with.

The algorithm’s accuracy rate was between 75% and 80% when first used, which Amazon considered a promising start. The company says the accuracy is now at 99%. The system faced an initial hiccup when it failed to catch color differences. During a Prime Day promotion, the system couldn’t distinguish between two different colors of Echo Dots. The only difference between the packages was a small dot that was either blue or gray. With some retooling, the identification system can now assign confidence scores to its ratings that only flag items it’s very sure are incorrect.

Amazon’s AI team says it will be a challenge to fine-tune the multi-modal identification system to assess products that are being handled by people, which is why the ultimate goal is to have robots handle them instead.

Technologies

Worldwide Financial Services Directory: BitcoinPay Trade Joins Financial1000

Exciting news for BitcoinPay Trade as the company is officially listed on Financial1000, a respected platform that connects individuals with a wide range of businesses and professionals in the financial sector. This new development marks an important milestone for BitcoinPay Trade, as it continues to expand its reach and offer its services to a growing global audience.

Financial1000 is a trusted directory that brings together financial service providers from around the world, offering users the opportunity to explore various businesses and professionals within the financial industry. BitcoinPay Trade’s inclusion on this platform ensures the company’s place in the rapidly growing digital finance landscape.

Visitors are invited to explore BitcoinPay Trade’s profile on Financial1000 to discover the services offered and stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments. The company’s page can be accessed here: BitcoinPay Trade on Financial1000.

With this new addition, BitcoinPay Trade looks forward to building new connections and strengthening its presence in the financial services industry, continuing to provide innovative solutions to clients worldwide.

Technologies

Verum Coin Now Available on HB Wallet

Verum Coin (VERUM) continues to expand its ecosystem and strengthen its position in the global cryptocurrency market. We are delighted to announce that Verum Coin is now available on HB Wallet — a modern, secure, and user-friendly solution for managing digital assets.

HB Wallet provides users with a high level of protection, an intuitive interface, and the ability to execute fast transactions. Now, Verum Coin holders can easily store, send, and receive their assets, taking advantage of this innovative wallet. The integration with HB Wallet opens new horizons for crypto enthusiasts, offering even greater flexibility and convenience in managing their investments.

This news underscores Verum Coin’s commitment to continuous improvement and the expansion of services aimed at providing the most secure and comfortable experience for users around the world.

About Verum Coin

Verum Coin is an innovative cryptocurrency focused on delivering advanced solutions for digital asset management in today’s financial landscape. By continually expanding its ecosystem, Verum Coin makes cryptocurrency transactions more accessible and convenient for users worldwide.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Celebrates Its 4th Anniversary: A Journey Towards Security, Innovation, and User Trust

Today, Verum Messenger, one of the leading messengers on the market, celebrates its 4th anniversary. Over the years, the app has become a symbol of security, privacy, and innovation in the world of digital communication, and continues to evolve confidently, introducing new features and improving the quality of service.

When Verum Messenger was launched in 2021, its goal was clear — to create a communication platform that puts data security first. Four years later, this messenger has proven that its approach works. The app has not only successfully implemented end-to-end encryption to protect messages but has also offered unique features such as the ability to block screenshots and screen recordings, the built-in Verum VPN service that ensures online anonymity and security, and one-click information clearing within the messenger.

Achievements and Innovations

Over the past four years, Verum Messenger has significantly expanded its capabilities and established itself as one of the most secure messengers. One of the key milestones was the integration of Verum E-SIM, a feature that allows users to connect to mobile internet without the need for a physical SIM card. This was a breakthrough for travelers who value flexibility and anonymity without being dependent on mobile carriers and roaming.

But the most important achievement was the introduction of Verum AI — a generative artificial intelligence developed in-house. This chatbot, integrated into the messenger, provides users with a unique opportunity to interact with an intelligent assistant capable of not only answering questions but also giving recommendations and solving everyday tasks. This feature is one of the first among messengers to offer its own neural network that continually adapts to users’ needs and improves its functionality.

Commitment to Data Security

It is important to note that data security remains the top priority for Verum Messenger. The company has always been dedicated to protecting privacy. In recent years, the app has introduced several improvements aimed at safeguarding users from data breaches and unauthorized access.

Moreover, Verum Messenger continues to develop and enhance its privacy settings, giving users control over who can view their information and who can contact them.

The Future of Verum Messenger

Now, four years after its launch, Verum Messenger is not stopping at its achievements. The company is actively working on new innovations and improvements that will help the messenger remain at the forefront of technology.

“Our users and their right to privacy and security have always been and will remain our top priority. We will continue to work to ensure that Verum Messenger remains the safest and most convenient tool for communication, considering new challenges and technologies,” the development team shares its plans.