Do you have to wait for the cash register time?JR East "Unmanned Payment" shop

Toyo Keizai Online "Railway's Forefront" distributes hot news about railways in a timely manner!Click here for the article list.

Currently, the JR East Group is conducting a demonstration experiment that incorporates the latest technology, aiming for the reinstatement of a stall on the platform.It is an unmanned payment shop using the AI unmanned payment system "Super Wonder Cash register" developed by a sign post for IT -related consulting.

In November last year, we conducted a demonstration experiment of an unmanned stall using the system, and this time it is the second installment.Last time, it was limited to 7 days using the event space at the Omiya Station West Exit, but in this experiment, in October at Akabane Station (Shonan Shinjuku Line departure and arrival platform) at Akabane Station (Shonan Shinjuku Line).It will be implemented for about two months from the 17th.On October 16, the store was released to the press.

The environment surrounding the stalls at the station changes

According to Yutaka Shibata of JR East Startup, a new business in JR East Group with venture companies.

"Newspapers, magazines, and cigarettes are the staples of the station. These three products were very standard. However, recently there are a lot of people who buy this. Due to the changes in the business area, there is" NEWDAYS "in the station premises., A lot of convenience stores were made in front of the station. Everybody shopped there, so the sight of buying quickly at the stall on the platform and getting on the train has decreased. If you have been selling it so far.I can't stand as a store. "

Even if there is a stall, read the barcode and the accounting is a pimpiroline with an IC card such as Suica.Well, at least, the age of a master's aunt has passed long ago ...

President Shibata said, "Based on the results of the previous experiment, we will do it in a way that is closer to real operations."

A woman who is a customer who picks up the product in a demonstration.You can choose what you want from the shelf (editorial department photograph)

As the word suggests, the experimental store this time is quite a real "shop".Approximately 140 kinds of products handled by the Kiosk originally have a kiosk.If you touch a transportation IC card such as Suica at the entrance and enter, you will be captured by 16 cameras provided on the ceiling.

All you have to do is choose what you want from the shelf and pick it up.If you set up in the payment area as it is, the total amount will be calculated automatically, touching Suica and ending the payment.The exit bar opens and you can leave the store.

You can buy as many items as many as you want, and you can return to the shelf during shopping.It is a mechanism that all of these movements are analyzed by the camera and calculate the correct amount.

"Because it will be grasped when you select a product and pick it up, it is okay to not hold it in your hand in the payment area. There is no problem if you put it in your bag immediately. Even if the amount is wrong, it is in the payment area.You can do subtraction processing, etc. (JR East Japan Startup Tomoki Manager)

Even if you choose more than one product, it will be recognized properly (editorial department photograph)

"At the moment, we have entered the store up to three people, taking into account the problem of accuracy. In fact, I think it would be okay if more people enter the store, and the goal has entered the store.The number of people is unlimited. However, this time it is only a demonstration experiment. "

It is said that the correct amount is calculated without any problems even if the product is picked up or returned.There is almost no payment time, so if the product to be purchased is decided in advance, it can be about 10 seconds, from entering to leaving the store.In this case, no matter how much a master aunt is, you won't be able to compete.

"Unmanned store" is still an issue

"Of course, there are still many issues such as processing of confusing products that are difficult to identify with a camera, replacing products, responding to package changes, and age confirmation when selling alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Which of the actual operation.I would like to confirm that the accuracy can be obtained. It is for this reason that business hours are 10 to 20:00 on weekdays., I wonder if the challenges for full -fledged practical use can be washed out "(Akutsu Manager)

The total amount is displayed on the screen (editorial department photograph)

So, what kind of location is this unmanned store in JR East?

The gate at the exit opens when payment with a transportation IC card is over (editorial department photograph)

"In urban areas, there are some parts where it is difficult to develop stalls due to lack of labor. Furthermore, the number of unprofitable stores is increasing due to changes in the environment.Even shops that do not have this unmanned store can continue to operate. If you come to the practical stage, it may be possible to develop a shortage or unprofitable store. "(President Shibata).

"Honestly, I think it's difficult to be completely unmanned. In the first place, I need the hands of people in the first place.In some cases, it will be unmanned or such a response will be possible. "(Akutsu Manager)

An unmanned store with AI is associated with the unmanned convenience store "Amazon Go" that Amazon started developing.In addition, there are fewer items in a slightly primitive place, but it can be seen as one of the stores that can be shoped without "uninhabited".

The big difference from these seems to be "the next generation of the station kiosk at the station".The JR East Startup Program, which triggered it, was also started with the main focus of the use of JR East's infrastructure in venture companies.It seems that this unmanned store is being developed with railway infrastructure.

How will it develop in the future?

President Shibata said, "It's a dream story at the moment," and said, "It's interesting that the whole home and concourse can be done like a store."

Akabane Station store to conduct a demonstration experiment for unmanned payments (editorial department photography)

"Going up to the platform, station lunches and drinks are lined up on both sides of the central aisle, touching Suica, paying, and getting on the train as it is ... Of course, at this stage, AI unmanned payment store.It's still a long way off, so it may be a completely dreamy story. But wouldn't it be fun if that happened? "(President Shibata).

It is well known that convenience stores are indispensable as "infrastructure" in every town.However, the stalls and kiosks are indispensable at the station platform.

Buy drinks and snacks during busy commuting, and procure station lunches, beer, and snacks in front of a leisurely departure.Then there is a little “travel” unique to the platform at the station.Although I can't remember the loneliness of unmanned, the "unmanned payment store using AI" may be the starting point of the trip as a next -generation "station shop".

This demonstration experiment that gives such expectations.It has been continuing at Akabane Station platform for about two months, so why not visit it and experience it?