Robot cashiers aren't entitled to FMLA leave or disability accommodations, they won't sue you for discrimination, and don't steal. Who can blame a business for not wanting to those liabilities?

While it’s ideal to limit human contact during the coronavirus pandemic, large retailers have been hoping to reduce or remove their cashiers for years. Whether this move is truly done in the name of public safety -- or if it’s a way to cut costs -- isn’t clear.

Oh, I don't know. It seems pretty clear to me that cashiers aren't worth more than the existing minimum wage and definitely not $15 per hour.