The automated kiosk on the platform at JR Akabane Station in Tokyo

JR East has placed an automated kiosk on a platform at Akabane Station in Kita Ward, Tokyo, in a trial using AI. The kiosk began operating on Wednesday.

The kiosk, fully automated with no human workers, contains nearly 120 cameras that read what products a customer has picked up and follows them to the cash register. The customer then confirms the items on a screen and pays with prepaid IC cards.

JR East said it is developing automated kiosks due to a staff shortage and seeks to improve the quality of cameras before actual implementation.

The kiosk is on the platform for lines 5 and 6. It sells a variety of 140 products including drinks, bread items and snacks. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Monday to Friday for two months.

Photo: CHINAMI TAKEICHI

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