Digital commerce giant Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has introduced special technology that allows customers to pay for products at physical store locations by simply scanning the palm of their hands.
Amazon has been quite active when it comes to offering certain services at brick-and-mortar stores. The e-commerce company has opened up its own Go stores and also acquired Whole Foods.
Amazon has also been testing out various payment methods or options, such as the use of what it calls “just walk out” technology, which basically taps sensors and video cameras, in order to keep track of items that people pick up from the shelves. Customers are then automatically charged for the items they’ve chosen via an app.
The e-commerce company has also launched Amazon One, which makes use of customized algorithms and special or purpose-built hardware to create and read a customer’s unique palm signature. Users have to insert their credit cards and then move their palm over the device, which allows them to automatically sign up for the service.
The unique payment system will be offered at certain Amazon Go stores, which have placed entry gates that customers need to go through by inputting a code into an app on their smartphones. Customers are then able to take the products they want to buy and the payment card that’s linked to their palm will be charged automatically for the purchase.
Amazon’s management noted that they’re going to be extending the rollout. They confirmed that they want to sell the new service to third-parties. The company claims that it may be used for daily or typical activities such as making quick payments at stores, presenting a loyalty card, walking into a sports stadium, or even checking into work or an office.
As reported recently, American Express (NYSE:AXP) and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) have partnered on a new card that is designed for small businesses. The card is said to “offer rich rewards and access to flexible payment terms to help them better manage their finances.”
The two cards available are the Amazon Business American Express Card and the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card with each offering an “enhanced check-out experience on Amazon Business UK and Amazon.co.uk,” according to a release.