Amazon has announced the launch of their new payment system, Amazon One, for use in shops which processes secure payments through the wave of a hand. The scanners work by registering an image of a user’s palm when they hover their hand in-mid air for a few seconds.
The scanners will be trialled in two of Amazon’s physical Seattle stores where Amazon already use a check-out free system. Amazon is already in conversation with other stores about using the system elsewhere. Amazon believes that the payment system would be useful as an alternative for payment or loyalty card options upon checkout. They also envision that it could also be useful for work environments, being used as an ID scanner to allow staff into company buildings. Amazon said that “we believe Amazon One has broad applicability beyond our retail stores.”