Walmart
Patent Filing Reveals Amazon Dash Style Automatic Reordering Device
Walmart is working on the perfect product
for people who hate shopping in stores. A recent patent filing revealed that
Walmart is currently developing a device that resembles the Amazon
Dash Button. The main difference? Users would not even need to press
a button in order to reorder their needed item.
Walmart’s system would integrate the IoT in order to determine whether an item needs to be replenished. The device would then automatically reorder or upgrade commonly used items. According to the patent, they would incorporate, “a subscription device that associates tags with items, a tag tracking device for collecting data on the tags associated with items, and a management system that monitors changes in the use of items.”
Walmart’s system would integrate the IoT in order to determine whether an item needs to be replenished. The device would then automatically reorder or upgrade commonly used items. According to the patent, they would incorporate, “a subscription device that associates tags with items, a tag tracking device for collecting data on the tags associated with items, and a management system that monitors changes in the use of items.”
image:
http://hothardware.com/ContentImages/NewsItem/40976/content/walmart-outside-building.jpg
Image from: Wikimedia Commons, Jared C. Benedict, Sven
The tags will also be
able to indirectly track when an item has been used. For example, if a person
picks up and sets down their toothbrush, the system would assume that the
toothbrush has been used. The system would then be able to roughly determine
when the consumer might need more toothpaste. They may also be able to suggest
items a consumer might also enjoy. One example is if the system detects that
the consumer is almost out of milk, the system may also suggest that the
consumer purchase complimentary items like cereal, cookies, or chocolate syrup.
The tags could potentially also provide safety warnings such as expiration dates. The tags could even be able to let a consumer know if an item was worn down to the point of becoming a safety hazard. If the tag was attached to a smoke alarm, it would let the consumer know when the smoke alarm needed new batteries.
The tags could potentially also provide safety warnings such as expiration dates. The tags could even be able to let a consumer know if an item was worn down to the point of becoming a safety hazard. If the tag was attached to a smoke alarm, it would let the consumer know when the smoke alarm needed new batteries.
image:
http://hothardware.com/ContentImages/NewsItem/40976/content/walmart-online-ordering-patent.jpg
This patent is cause for both celebration and
concern. On one hand, how awesome would it be to never purchase milk again or
to be forewarned before items expire? According to the National Fire Protection
Association, 60% of all home fire deaths in the United States occurred when
there was no smoke alarm present. A tagged smoke detector could cut down on the
over 360,000 house fires each
year.
On the other hand, these IoT tags are reminiscent of a number of dystopian novels and movies. Do consumers wants corporations having such direct access to their everyday lives? Many patents do not come to fruition, however, it will be interesting to see whether Walmart attempts to compete against Amazon in the battle of online ordering.
On the other hand, these IoT tags are reminiscent of a number of dystopian novels and movies. Do consumers wants corporations having such direct access to their everyday lives? Many patents do not come to fruition, however, it will be interesting to see whether Walmart attempts to compete against Amazon in the battle of online ordering.
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