Tesco is currently testing a new 6.5ft aisle-roaming robot designed to identify missing stock and pricing discrepancies. This life-sized robot utilizes AI and computer vision technology to autonomously navigate supermarket aisles and continuously monitor shelves, eliminating the need for manual checks by staff.
According to Tesco, the Tally robot, developed by Simbe Robotics, will not only detect out-of-stock items but also identify gaps on shelves to enhance visibility for staff. Simbe claims that Tally can identify ten times more out-of-stock products compared to manual inspections.
The robot is equipped to identify pricing errors and misplaced items, sending detailed reports to store employees for prompt resolution. A Reddit user shared an image of the robot named Tally at a Tesco store, noting the humorous reactions of customers who avoided getting too close to it.
Industry expert Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, disclosed the trial of this autonomous shelf-scanning technology at Tesco, marking the first such deployment by the supermarket chain in the UK and only the second instance in a major UK retailer’s trial. The robot captures shelf conditions multiple times daily, providing store teams with prioritized action lists through mobile apps and digital or printed reports, aiming to expedite issue resolution, improve inventory accuracy, and allow staff more time for customer service.
Tally, initially introduced a decade ago, has been employed by retailers in various countries. Morrisons was the first UK supermarket to trial this technology last year, using robots measuring approximately 5ft4 inches to navigate store floors independently and check product placement and availability, as well as ensure accurate pricing displays.
For the Tesco trial, the new 6.5ft tall robots are being utilized. The introduction of this technology by supermarkets like Morrisons and Tesco aims to streamline routine shelf inspections, freeing up staff to focus on customer assistance.
