Today Japan, Tomorrow the World — The Rise of Grocery Store Automation

In Osaka, Japan, a slender, dark-haired woman selects items from the grocery store shelves, scans a barcode from each selection, and places it in a hand-carried basket. She then takes her items to a checkout, places the basket into a receptacle on the checkout counter. Using the kiosk at the counter she pays for the goods, the bottom of the basket slides open, and the grocery items fall into the basket.