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

Verum Messenger: The New Gold Standard in Secure and Convenient Communication

In a world where data privacy and security are increasingly paramount, the emergence of messengers that offer not only convenience but also unparalleled protection of personal information is becoming a necessity. One shining example of such applications is Verum Messenger — a platform that not only ensures reliable data protection but also offers a wide range of […]

In a world where data privacy and security are increasingly paramount, the emergence of messengers that offer not only convenience but also unparalleled protection of personal information is becoming a necessity. One shining example of such applications is Verum Messenger — a platform that not only ensures reliable data protection but also offers a wide range of features for seamless communication. Let’s delve deeper into why Verum Messenger is becoming the new gold standard in secure and convenient communication.

Privacy and Security a Top Priority

Verum Messenger adheres to the highest standards of user privacy and security. It employs end-to-end encryption to safeguard messages from unauthorized access, even from developers themselves. This allows users to exchange personal messages without worrying about potential eavesdropping or interception.

User-Friendly Interface

In addition to high security standards, Verum Messenger offers excellent user interaction. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to use for users of all demographics. Moreover, a wide array of features, including voice and video calls, group chats, and file sharing capabilities, make this messenger an ideal choice for diverse communication needs.

Support for Additional Features

Verum Messenger doesn’t rest on its laurels and continually updates, adding new features and enhancing existing ones. Features such as secret chats with automatic message deletion, message editing, and even a dark theme for comfortable nighttime use are just some of the many options available to users.

Verum Messenger is available on the iOS platform.

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Verum Messenger embodies the perfect blend of high security standards and user convenience, making it a superior choice for those who value their privacy and seek a reliable means of communication. With ongoing development and platform improvements, Verum Messenger is not just a messenger but also the new gold standard in secure and convenient communication.

Technologies

A Guide to Online Security: Unveiling the Secrets of Verum VPN

In today’s digital world, where data is currency and privacy is paramount, it’s important to have a reliable tool to protect one’s online activity. In this context, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) becomes an indispensable instrument for ensuring security and anonymity online. Verum VPN stands out as a key player in this realm, and in this article, […]

What is Verum VPN:

Verum VPN is a leading VPN provider that offers a wide range of features to safeguard personal information online. With it, users can ensure the privacy of their data, bypass geographical restrictions, and protect their devices from malicious attacks.

Advantages of Verum VPN:

1. *Security:* Stringent security policies and data encryption make Verum VPN a reliable ally in the fight for privacy.

2. *Speed:* Specialized servers ensure high connection speeds, allowing consumers to enjoy fast and stable internet.

3. *Geo-blocking:* The service enables bypassing geographical restrictions, granting access to content that was previously inaccessible.

4. *Multi-device support:* Verum VPN supports simultaneous connections of multiple devices, making it an ideal choice for families and small offices.

5. *Ease of use:* An intuitive interface makes setting up and using the service straightforward, even for beginners.

Conclusion:

Verum VPN is not just a service; it’s a reliable partner in safeguarding your online activity. With it, you can ensure a safe and anonymous presence online without restricting your access to content. Don’t compromise your privacy—choose Verum VPN and enjoy a secure digital world.

Technologies

Verum Coin (VERUM) Token Listed on Tokpie

Verum Coin (VERUM) is a BEP20 altcoin created by BitCoinPay Trade and Verum.

Market pair to trade VERUM tokens

VERUM/USDT.

Token Info

Token: Verum Coin
Symbol: VERUM
Website: https://verumcoin.info.
Token total supply: 1,000,000,000.
Smart contract address: 0xE6e4D9E1ddd783b6BeEccC059ABc17be88EE1A03.

Verum Coin (VERUM) is a BEP20 altcoin created by BitCoinPay Trade and Verum. Verum is a messenger that guarantees privacy. Also, this app has a built-in VPN and allows users to trade a token with each other.

Risk Warning

Kindly note that trading cryptocurrencies involves considerable risks and may lead to a loss of invested capital. So, please ensure that you understand all the risks involved. Also, consider your experience level and follow independent financial advice if needed.