Some thoughts. As I was going to Kroger to pick up a few essentials, I'm reminded that companies are using machines to take peoples' places. If you ask them, they'll say they're doing it to save money or to increase profits. Both of which are fine as long as the bottom line is not the main focus.
I used to work at the company that makes most of these things. I did not work in this department (and probably wouldn't, given a choice) but I admit I am somewhat a fan of computerized automation. I think there's situations where it makes sense and allows us to focus on more important and meaningful things.
Does it make a person's job less-stressful, more efficient and less error-prone? Then by all means, bring it into your company.
Does it replace a worker or many of them usually at the cost later of less efficiency and the loss from things that human beings bring to the table? Then I ask, please don't buy them and use them. In cases like this, they'll cause more problems than they solve -- not just at your place of business but in the rest of your community. If you say you're a community-friendly business (and which one now doesn't make this claim in order to appeal to customers?), please re-consider buying if you're considering it and re-consider using them if they're already in place.
Personally I find these automated checkout machines less than useful. That's just my opinion. As such I always make it a point to work with a person at the checkout or if the option doesn't exist, I plan to shop somewhere else. If you care about people remaining employed and being able to take care of themselves and loved ones -- rather than the Government, I would ask you to do the same. Maybe this will send a little bit of a message that their employees are appreciated -- especially more so than their automated checkout machines that in my opinion are very error prone, inefficient and to be honest, less than pleasant to deal with.