For years there has been talk of how, at some point, robots will replace humans in certain manual tasks; and today it seems that we have taken another step to make it a reality. At least partially. In Japan, the FamilyMart supermarket chain has incorporated a robot with artificial intelligence that performs some of the tasks usually reserved for supermarket stockers.
The company has allied itself with Telexistence, which has developed the peculiar device baptized as TX SCARA. The Japanese robot can function almost entirely autonomously, though don’t expect to see it move freely between store aisles. Its creators have designed it to fulfill a very specific task: replenish beverage bottles and cans in refrigerators.
FamilyMart’s intention is to use the machine to replace supermarket stockers in the most tedious and physically demanding tasks. “The introduction of Telexistence’s robots and its artificial intelligence system will create surplus time without adding new employees, and time can be reallocated to customer service and improving the production area, which will create a better work environment and operations. higher quality store”, Both companies assured.
It is estimated that each unit of TX SCARA will replace one to three hours of human labor in each store where they are implemented. However, FamilyMart will not incorporate it in all of its locations. In principle, the Japanese robot will be used in 300 of the 16,000 supermarkets that are part of the chain, especially those located in the main metropolitan areas.
Robotic help is sure to be welcomed by supermarket stockers, considering that according to FamilyMart, about 1,000 drinks are sold each day in each of its stores. For this reason, replacement tasks are usually permanent and quite uncomfortable.
TX SCARA, the robot that will relieve supermarket stockers in Japan
As could be seen in a video released by Telexistence, the supermarket stocking robots will be located in the rear section of the refrigerators. From there, they will be in charge of replenishing the bottles and cans as needed, taking advantage of an artificial intelligence system that allows them to recognize each product and the site where it should be located.
TX SCARA uses a rail to move across the width of the coolers, and also moves on its vertical axis to reach different heights. To select the items, meanwhile, it feeds on a mechanical arm.
Of course, the machine is not exempt from possible failures or drawbacks. However, human supermarket stockers won’t have to come to your aid. If the AI does not work correctly, or if the robot “freezes” because it finds products in the wrong place, Telexistence workers will be able to connect remotely to control it.
Using an Oculus virtual reality helmet and its controls, the firm’s employees will be able to manipulate the arm remotely to continue their work. Therefore, the agreement between FamilyMart and the manufacturer includes the payment of a monthly support fee. However, the company ensures that the equipment can work autonomously 98% of the time.
microsoft Y NVIDIA have played an interesting role in the development of the Japanese robot that will relieve supermarket stockers. Those from Santa Clara, California, have provided Jetson, their artificial intelligence platform, to process the information. While those from Redmond have provided their technology in the cloud, Azure, to record data on sales and replenishment of beverages.
From what can be seen in the images, TX SCARA does its job much slower than human supermarket stockers. In any case, it is the first step in a development that will surely evolve over time. The big question is: Will we see it in other parts of the world or will it be just a curiosity from Japan?