Cashierless shopping start-up Sensei has opened its first store to the public in Portugal in the latest challenge to Amazon’s dominance in the space.
Sensei has launched its first ‘autonomous store’ with Portuguese retailer Sonae, allowing customers to shop without having to scan any items or queue at any point.
The store, situated in Lisbon, uses an integrated system of cameras, sensors and AI algorithms to track customers’ movements, detecting when they add or remove items from shelves.
In a similar system to that seen in Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores, the latter of which now has four locations in the UK, shoppers will need to download the app and tap in when entering the store before being charged automatically when leaving.
READ MORE: Amazon launches 4th UK Fresh store in Canary Wharf amid major grocery rebrand
“The store of the future is a concept of the past, as we’ve just set autonomous retail as a reality,” co-founder and chief executive of Sensei Vasco Portugal said.
“We are proud to enable a completely transformed experience for both customers and retailers, who are seeking better use of their time, convenience and business optimisation.
“We’re thrilled to partner with such an experienced retailer as Sonae and to count on their trust to pursue a path of pioneering innovation within the sector.”
According to Sensei this is the first autonomous store to open in Europe, outside of Amazon’s new stores in the UK.
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