Global e-commerce giant Amazon launched a palm payment system called Amazon One in 2020, which was originally designed to provide consumers with a fast and convenient payment method. Now, Amazon is expanding the palm scanning technology to scenarios outside of grocery stores and launching a version specifically designed for the business world.
Amazon announced the launch of Amazon One Enterprise at the re: Invent conference held in Las Vegas on Monday night. Amazon One Enterprise has repackaged the company's palm payment system as an authentication tool, allowing employees to enter the office through swiping their hands or access sensitive information such as financial data or human resource records.
Amazon's biometric technology has already attracted some contracted customers, including IHG Hotels and Resorts, revolving door manufacturer Boon Edam, and escalator and elevator supplier Kone. Amazon began offering the service in the United States on Monday, but has not yet disclosed the pricing of the service.
Compared to traditional authentication tools such as keys, badges, or passwords, Amazon positions this service as a cheaper and more secure enterprise solution.
"Enterprises value user privacy and convenience, and with this service, users only need to swipe their palms to access physical locations and software assets," said Dilip Kumar, Vice President of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Applications, in a statement.
Amazon launched its palm payment system in September 2020, initially intended for use only in its own retail stores, and later expanded it to third-party retailers and venues.
Since its launch, Amazon's palm payment system has been deployed in Whole Foods supermarkets, some Amazon Go convenience stores, and several Amazon Fresh grocery stores. In addition, some sports and entertainment venues, as well as some Panera Bread restaurants and Starbucks stores, have also adopted this technology.
However, there are also some advocacy groups criticizing Amazon's "brush hands" service on privacy and security issues, believing that it will lead to increased surveillance.
In response, Amazon stated that palm recognition is more private than other biometric systems, "because you cannot determine a person's identity through palm images." The company also claimed that it will not obtain purchase data from scans collected from non Amazon stores.
Amazon is also expanding some other products to corporate customers. In 2021, Amazon released the home robot Astro, aimed at helping users complete a series of tasks including home safety monitoring and caring for the elderly. Earlier this month, the company launched Astro for Business, a robot version designed for businesses that can provide patrol, monitoring, intelligent alerts, and other services for small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby reducing burglary and other threats.