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\n\t\tTesco is testing new aisle-roaming robots (Picture: Shutterstock \/ Travelanza Media)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tTesco is testing new aisle-roaming robots (Picture: Shutterstock \/ Travelanza Media)<\/p>\n
Supermarkets have been making some major tech changes of late, introducing everything from electronic shelf labels<\/a> to facial recognition scanners.<\/a><\/p>\n And expect to see more advancements in your local shops<\/a> soon \u2013 including robots.<\/p>\n Last year, Morrisons<\/a> started testing human-sized aisle robots<\/a> in three of its stores, which roamed the aisles checking the accuracy of prices, promotions and stock levels.<\/p>\n Now Tesco<\/a> has become the latest retailer to introduce the 6ft 5in inventory scanning creation, known as the Tally robot.<\/p>\n Tally was created by Simbe Robotics and is reportedly able to detect 10 times more out-of-stock products than manual audits.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n The Simbe Robotics website says Tally is designed to \u2018autonomously navigate store aisles, scan shelves using sensors and AI, and detect out-of-stocks, pricing errors and misplaced products in real time\u2019.<\/p>\n All of this information is captured using \u2018ultra-high-resolution imaging\u2019 with enhanced 3D depth and 360\u00b0 fisheye cameras, and delivered to store teams via a mobile app or a printed report.<\/p>\n According to the manufacturer, Tally is \u2018a friendly face\u2019, as it\u2019s \u2018approachable\u2019 with a \u2018compact design that fits seamlessly into busy store environments\u2019.<\/p>\n However, shoppers who have spotted the robot in Morrisons and Tesco aren\u2019t quite so keen, with some describing it as \u2018creepy\u2019 and \u2018terrifying\u2019 in comments on TikTok.<\/p>\n Others were concerned the robot would \u2018take people\u2019s jobs\u2019 and that using it was \u2018asking for trouble\u2019.<\/p>\n Not everyone felt this way, however, with some thinking Tally looked \u2018cute\u2019 and \u2018adorable\u2019, as it has a little face. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tHow do you feel about Tally in Tesco?<\/p>\n Currently, Tesco is only testing Tally in one supermarket<\/a>, but the retailer says it\u2019s \u2018looking forward to learning from the trial\u2019. <\/p>\n And Tally isn\u2019t the only robot you might spot in Tesco, as the retail giant is also testing cleaning robots. <\/p>\n In June, 600 of them were sent to Express Stores to tackle routine jobs such as floor cleaning, so staff can spend more time serving customers and managing day-to-day operations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Retail expert Toby Pickard from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) shared a closer look at Tally on LinkedIn<\/a> as well as Tesco\u2019s other recent AI and tech updates.<\/p>\n He claims that all of the changes suggest the retailer is \u2018building towards the hyper-connected store, where robotics, AI, computer vision, digital shelf infrastructure and connected operations work together to create smarter store execution, empower store colleagues, and ultimately deliver a better shopping experience.\u2019<\/p>\n Whether other retailers will start following in Tesco\u2019s footsteps, we\u2019ll have to wait and see.<\/p>\n Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow
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