Morrisons is trialling robots that can check for out-of-stock items, pricing errors, and misplaced products.
According to trade magazine The Grocer, the supermarket is testing the ‘Tally’ robots from US tech company Simbe at three stores. They are claimed to be the world’s first autonomous inventory bot, which uses advanced AI and computer vision technology to collect comprehensive product data by roaming the aisles in stores.
The robots are being tested in Morrisons stores in Wetherby, Redcar and Stockton. Katherine Allanach, technology manager at the retailer, told The Grocer that they are being used to “check that the products on the shelves are being displayed correctly and are legally compliant.”
She added: “It is a crucial but time-consuming task, and so Tally aims to allow more time for colleagues to focus on customer service.”
The report stated that Morrisons is the first UK retailer to invest in Simbe’s Tally robot, which can capture 15,000 to 30,000 products an hour. It self-docks to a charging port when needed.
Morrisons noted that feedback from customers and staff had been positive, with a spokesperson saying: “They have been intrigued and curious but very positive and colleagues in particular can see how supportive Tally could be.”
The robots are currently being used by retailers around the world, including Carrefour, Albertsons, ShopRite and Kroger.
A spokesperson for Simbe told The Grocer that Morrisons’ adoption of Tally was a major step in its drive to expand its global footprint, but also “validation that retailers around the world are increasingly turning to autonomous solutions to gain unprecedented visibility and address key operational challenges.”
NamNews Implications:
- This says it all:
- “Tally aims to allow more time for colleagues to focus on customer service”
- Which has to have a payoff in repeat shopper visits…
- …where items required are found on-shelf.
- Simple but difficult...
- A no-brainer…
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