Walmart abandons plan to have robots check store inventories, Engadget reported Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Just like Elon Musk did with his Tesla Model 3 factory, Walmart has discovered that robots don’t necessarily replace humans. The Wall Street Journal says the retail giant has decided to scrap plans to use robots to automate after discovering that people can also do a good job of tracking inventory.
Back in 2017, Walmart began testing fully automated robots made by Bossa Nova Robotics in about 50 of its stores. They can scan multiple items at once, just like a self-driving car, using 3D imaging to avoid obstacles while tracking down areas that need to be rechecked. The idea is to check inventory levels, prices, and misplaced items, easing the burden on staff and reducing labor costs.
However, as COVID-19 locking shifted sales online, Walmart found that the same workers who collected online deliveries from the shelves could also collect inventory data. Now, Walmart plans to use these workers to monitor levels and locations, essentially rendering robots redundant (and proving that turnarounds are fair). Most importantly, CEO John Furner is concerned about how shoppers will respond to and interact with the robots in the store.
For example, robots still have a place in stores that use Roomba-style floor washers. While stocking robots won’t solve the problem, the company says the experiment is still worthwhile. A spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal, “We learned a lot about how technology can assist our employees, simplify our work and provide a better customer experience. “
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