Price Chopper/Market 32 adds robotic grocery shelf scanners
SCHENECTADY - The robots are coming to a supermarket near you.
Starting this month, Price Chopper/Market 32 stores in East Greenbush, Catskill, Amsterdam, Johnstown and Queensbury will employ robot shelf scanners that move up and down the aisles to keep track of inventory. The idea is that these self-propelled devices can quickly and more efficiently alert store managers when spaghetti sauce, clam chowder, or oat bran are running low and need to be restocked.
Additionally, robots will be moving through the aisles at Tops Friendly Markets in the western New York communities of Amherst, Depew, Hamburg and Orchard Park. The same company owns Tops and Price Chopper.
"As a company, we are always looking for ways to innovate and enhance both our operations and the customer experience," Scott Kessler, executive vice president and chief information officer of Northeast Grocery, said in a statement about the initiative.
The robotic scanning is a pilot program set to run through January. The company will then decide whether to expand the program.
According to photos provided by Northeast Grocery, the robots are slender devices, with a diameter about the size of a mop bucket and are about 6 feet tall.
Northeast Grocery stresses that the devices don't photograph shoppers. They also are programmed to make subtle noises so customers are not startled. And if the machine encounters a person, it will either pause, go around them, or turn around and return later. Customers are encouraged to provide feedback during the pilot, which will help shape the future of the initiative.
The robots, named Tally, are built by the California-based Simbe Robotics and derived from the technology of remote sensors used to monitor power grids. Company founder Brad Bogolea wanted to apply the technology to the retail world.
According to the Grocery Dive news site, there are about 1,000 Tallys patrolling retail stores, including Schnucks Markets and SpartanNash in the Midwest and some BJ's Wholesale Clubs. They also operate in four other countries.
This story was originally published September 13, 2024, 8:31 PM.
