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 robot named Tally, developed by Simbe Robotics, can efficiently detect out-of-stock products and gaps on shelves, enabling staff to enhance product visibility. Tally has the capability to identify pricing errors and misplaced items, providing timely reports to store employees for quick resolution of issues.
A Reddit user shared an image of the robot operating in a Tesco store, noting the unique sight of the ‘Inventory Checking’ robot named Tally. Industry expert Toby Pickard from IGD highlighted that this trial signifies Tesco’s initial use of autonomous shelf-scanning technology in the UK, only the second instance in a major UK supermarket.
Toby Pickard mentioned on LinkedIn that the robot conducts shelf audits multiple times a day, offering prioritized action plans to store teams through mobile apps and digital or printed reports. The primary objective is to expedite issue resolution, enhance inventory accuracy, and allow colleagues more time to assist customers.
Initially introduced a decade ago, Tally has been successfully deployed in various retailers worldwide. Morrisons was the first UK supermarket to trial the robot last year, aiding in checking product placement and availability while ensuring accurate pricing display. The new robots used in the Tesco trial are reportedly taller at 6.5ft.
During the Morrisons trial, the robot facilitated routine shelf inspections, enabling colleagues to focus on customer service. This technology implementation aims to streamline operations and improve customer service quality at supermarkets.