Robots are on the move! Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are a relatively new fixture, but expect to see more soon. Currently, Brain Corp, an autonomous tech company, has over 35,000 robots operating globally. In 2018, Walmart deployed scrubber robots to clean floors in a few hundred stores. Based on the success of the test, these robots now operate in every Walmart store.
David Pinn, Brain Corp CEO, says, “Supply chain excellence begins in the store. The benefits of adding intelligence and automation to the store propagate upstream, throughout the entire supply chain. Data collected from store shelves is invaluable for predicting market trends, seasonal changes, and customer preferences. When supply chain operations sync with real-time shelf data, retailers can anticipate demand, manage inventory better, streamline logistics, and boost profits.” *
According to Pinn, “each robot saves approximately 2.5 hours of labor per day per store, representing more than 223,000 hours of productivity annually that can be redirected to higher value tasks.” Robots perform various tasks in retail organizations. However, most retailers obtain them for store cleaning and inventory management.
While robots are costly, retailers who use AMRs consider them a good return on their investment.
Robots powered by AI can sense their environment, make real-time decisions, learn, and adapt. Technologies like RFID and computer vision enable them to scan inventory and monitor the store environment. AMRs are also capable of handling other essential retail applications.
Inventory management: Walmart and Sam’s Club use AMRs to help manage inventory. They can accurately scan shelves for incorrect prices and misplaced products, and alert employees about out-of-stocks by providing real-time inventory data. This leads to more efficient and productive restocking and reduces overall costs and results in increased customer satisfaction.
Customer Assistance: Lowes and Currys used customer assistance robots on a trial basis. The purpose of acquiring the LoweBot and the KettyBot was to provide customers with timely answers and solutions to their inquiries. They assisted customers with navigation, product information, and personal recommendations.
Order Fulfillment: Walmart uses AMRs in its “next generation fulfillment centers” to assist with picking, packing, and transporting merchandise to the warehouses. Using robots has resulted in customers receiving faster, more accurate shipments.
Enhanced Security: Autonomous robots enhance security by patrolling stores, monitoring suspicious activity, alerting staff to problems, and expanding the existing security capabilities.
As it now stands, their primary function is to handle repetitive, mundane tasks to enable human workers to focus on activities of greater value to the organization that involve customer interaction or problem-solving. Additionally, assigning robots to physically demanding tasks reduces the number of workplace injuries. They also free up team members to spend more time on maintenance. Since robots create detailed maps indicating the areas that have been cleaned, the team is aware of their activities.
Challenges for Retailers to Consider
While national retail chain stores can absorb the expense of operating AMRs, the cost is prohibitive for small businesses. However, owners should invest in affordable technology solutions to automate the pricing and inventory management systems. Upgrading will increase accuracy and improve productivity.
Other than cost, there are more factors to consider before making the decision to deploy robots. When new technology is integrated into an existing system, there are usually complex problems that take time to resolve. The seamless integration of ARMs may be more challenging because there are few workers with the skills required to operate and maintain this new technology. Additionally, training employees to work alongside robots, retailers should gauge how customers who are accustomed to human interaction respond to engaging with robots.
At some point, the presence of AMRs will become a familiar sight. These wonders of technology are becoming more sophisticated with capabilities that support the evolution of the retail experience.
* Source: RetailCustomerExperience.com.
