Walmart looks to usurp the barcode with an invisible watermark which could cut out the checkout
Walmart is developing new watermarks for its products which could one day dethrone the trusty barcode as the default method of pricing goods and expedite its shopping experience.
With invisible product watermarks, the US retail giant can price items with a simple scan, anywhere on its surface area. The technology, created by Walmart’s Lab 415-C, could in theory see products scanned and priced by shopping carts, thus cutting out the need to visit a checkout.
Walmart chief executive Doug MacMillon shared the findings on Instagram, stating “technologies like invisible watermarking could transform the way our customers check out”.
A photo posted by Doug McMillon (@dougmcmillon) on
Furthermore, cashiers will be able to lesson queues, no longer having to locate barcodes on participating products.