The self checkout machine was invented by Doctor Howard Schneider and the first check out machines were used at Price Chopper Supermarkets in 1992. The purpose of my automated system is to allow shoppers to check out their items by themselves, rather than waiting in line and having someone else (the cashier) to check it out for them. Self checkouts have a positive impact on our society for those who are in a rush and don't want to wait minutes in line for a cashier. They allow you to select whether you want a bag or not, and the machine will deposit you the bag or you can manually pick it up yourself. Self checkouts take less space, making more room for customers so they don't feel clustered in a store (business bee). There are also fewer employees to pay. Usually when there aren't any customers or when its not busy, cashiers aren't really completing any tasks; but they still get paid anyway. Although there are positive impacts, there are some negatives too. Some people say that it actually takes an even longer time to checkout their items through a checkout system, simply because they either don't know how it works or their are technical difficulties and many people say that they are confused about the start menu at checkout systems (more than half of shoppers who were surveyed ). There is a potential of theft with self checkout machines because they aren't being monitored by the staff and someone can easily replace the barcode stickers from a less expensive product onto the expensive item (wavelink). There is also a lack of customer to staff interaction, which means a lack of communication. Many people actually enjoy talking to the employees at a store about their personal life, as many shoppers who were surveyed mentioned. I agree that my system is helpful to society, however I think there should be a few traditional checkout stations along with a few self checkout systems; as seen today.
