Some time ago I noticed self-checkouts in a nearby store, which looks
like a good idea: while they introduce a bit more dependency on
electronics and software, cashiers already use them anyway, so it
should be about as reliable, but freeing cashiers.
Initially they seemed to work okay, even if slightly awkwardly: I kept
accidentally scanning things twice, but was able to correct their
numbers afterwards. Then a software update happened, so that
decreasing the number of items now requires an approval by staff. Not
seeing staff around, I tried to start over instead, but that led to
error messages (some common JS or Java ones, I think, though don't
remember well) and not restarting. Fortunately, the store had a few
self-checkouts (and there are live cashiers too), so I went for
another one. At the times when staff is around though, they just take
over and do everything quickly for you, working as regular cashiers.
Probably there was some motivation behind that change, and it was
supposed to somehow improve something, but now I prefer the counters
with human cashiers. They also accept cash (unlike those particular
self-checkouts), which is another advantage.
So once again I find myself welcoming automation in general, yet with
a growing list of poorly implemented automation attempts I'd rather
avoid.
