Smart Containers are coming. Target has a few entries in the burgeoning field: a paper towel dispenser and a soap dispenser, both of which reorder their respective dispensed item when they get low. GE has a dish washer that will reorder detergent from Amazon when it gets low. And now a Florida-based startup called WePlenish is entering the fray.
WePenish: Smart Containers for Coffee
The first device WePlenish is offering is the WePlenish Java. You can find it on Kickstarter now. This container houses your single-use coffee pods, like K-Cups, and keeps track of your inventory for you. When you get low, the device orders more coffee from Amazon. This is great for coffee addicts, as it ensures you never get low on your morning caffeine.
Don’t Forget the Snacks!
WePlenish is also offering smart containers for individually wrapped snacks. Things like gummies, cookies, peanuts and the like are available for reorder through the WePlenish containers. Both types of container work by connecting to your Wi-Fi, after which you assing them a snack to order when they detect low volume. They run on triple A batteries that promise to last for a year or so.
Increased Convenience
Amazon has already been pursuing similar functionality with their Amazon Dash Buttons. The Dash Buttons are similarly keyed to specific items, like garbage bags or air conditioning filters, that need to be reordered regularly. The Dash service is a natural companion to the new Amazon Key service, which allows Amazon deliveries to be delivered directly into your home. Amazon seems to be pushing to eliminate the need to even enter their app to grocery shop, let alone physically enter a grocery store.
Is This Weird?
Then again, how hard is it to order groceries? I mean, it’s not that hard, right? You just open your app and click on what you want. For that matter, how hard is it to go to the grocery store? It’s just down the street, right? Okay, maybe I’m the weird one. The convenience factor is certainly there: you can’t forget to stock up if your smart devices keep up for you!
But I still have some reservations. It seems like a lot of people are throwing themselves wholly into the smart device revolution without much thought for the consequences. What about the data Amazon is gathering on you? If you give them a direct eye into your pantry, they’re going to know what you eat and when. That just seems a little odd. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, though. If you’re the type of person who prefers to not worry about keeping up with logistics, smart containers are likely to be your best friend.
No comments so far.
Be first to leave comment below.