Leveraging the IoT is all about capturing sensor-based information and taking an action based upon the data. Amazon is actually going back to the future and bypassing the IoT in their latest bid to obtain intelligence. They are asking consumers to participate in an online Shopper Panel, and to also send Amazon 10 receipts from non-Amazon-owned stores in exchange for a $10 Amazon credit. Amazon claims to want this data so that they can make more popular choices available to Amazon customers. My bet is that this data has far more value to them for advertising and promotional purposes. The following story provides further details.
Amazon has launched a new program that directly pays consumers for information about what they’re purchasing outside of Amazon.com and for responding to short surveys. The program, Amazon Shopper Panel, asks users to send in 10 receipts per month for any purchases made at non-Amazon retailers, including grocery stores, department stores, drug stores and entertainment outlets (if open), like movie theaters, theme parks and restaurants.
Amazon’s own stores, like Whole Foods, Amazon Go, Amazon Four Star and Amazon Books do not qualify.