walmart introduces self-driving, shelf-scanning robots in over 50 stores

multinational retailing corporation walmart has introduced an automated robot able to handle tasks that are repeatable, predictable and manual, like scanning shelves for out-of-stock items, incorrect prices and wrong or missing labels. the 2 foot robot scans information using its built-in camera, which then sends data to store employees, who then stock the shelves and fix errors.

the robots are 50 percent more effective than humans and can scan shelves more accurately and three times faster
all images © walmart

‘if you are running up and down the aisle and you want to decide if we are out of cheerios or not,’ explains jeremy king, chief technology officer for walmart U.S. and e-commerce. ‘a human doesn’t do that job very well, and they don’t like it.’ according to king, the robots are 50 percent more effective than humans and can scan shelves significantly more accurately and three times faster.

introducing automated robots at walmart is part of an effort to digitise its stores to make shopping faster and more convenient

walmart has ensured that the automated robots will not replace their human counterparts, but supplement them

the 2 foot robot sends data to store employees, who then stock the shelves and fix errors

it uses its built-in camera to scan the items