Walmart turns to robots and apps in stores
6 years, 3 months ago

Walmart turns to robots and apps in stores

CNN  

New York CNN Business — Walmart is turning to new tech to reduce costs and convince shoppers to keep taking trips to the store. Courtesy of Walmart Options for customers Dotcom Store, a new app for workers, will help the company keep shoppers from heading to Amazon when they can’t find something on Walmart’s shelves. The new app, available in nearly all of Walmart’s stores, allows workers to order items online for customers if they’re out of stock. “Dotcom Store offers customers even more assortment options than what’s on our physical shelves,” Tom Ward, Walmart’s senior vice president of digital and central operations, said in a statement this week. The app adds to two other programs Walmart has rolled out recently: detailed mobile store maps for customers to locate items on the shelves, and “Check Out with Me,” which allows workers to ring up customers on the spot while they’re shopping.

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History of this topic

Robots Won’t Close the Warehouse Worker Gap Anytime Soon
3 years, 4 months ago

Robots Won’t Close the Warehouse Worker Gap Anytime Soon

Wired  

This July, Amazon showed off several new warehouse robots with names borrowed from Sesame Street that are, presumably, meant to evoke childhood wonder rather than futuristic dread. The new machines demonstrate the potential for automation to creep into more areas of warehouse and package-sorting work, a critical part of the economy as ecommerce orders soar. Amazon’s prototype robots are not …

As robots take over warehousing, workers pushed to adapt
5 years, 3 months ago

As robots take over warehousing, workers pushed to adapt

LA Times  

Amazon’s orange Kiva robots lift stacks of merchandise and move them to employee stations, eliminating the need for workers to walk around the warehouse searching for items. “It’s a little nerve-racking at first.” Taillon says she’s gotten used to working with robots — something Amazon and its rivals are increasingly requiring warehouse employees to do. Warehouses powered by robotics and …

Amazon wants to ship you anything in 30 minutes. It’s going to need a lot of robots
5 years, 4 months ago

Amazon wants to ship you anything in 30 minutes. It’s going to need a lot of robots

CNN  

Washington, DC CNN Business — Amazon is burning through billions to get you stuff faster. That’s only possible because of robotics.” Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO of Worldwide Consumer To continue to speed up delivery times and stay ahead of competitors, Amazon will need even more robots. “There’s no way that works,” recalled Nick Swinmurn, founder of Amazon subsidiary Zappos, of …

Walmart is doubling down on robot janitors. Here’s why
5 years, 11 months ago

Walmart is doubling down on robot janitors. Here’s why

CNN  

New York CNN Business — Walmart wants store workers to help out customers instead of mopping up floors and unloading boxes in backrooms. “The overall trend we’re seeing is that automating certain tasks gives associates more time to do work they find fulfilling and to interact with our customers,” CEO Doug McMillon said last year of the new technology in …

Walmart To Launch Online Grocery Delivery In Japan, E-Book Sales In U.S.
7 years, 2 months ago

Walmart To Launch Online Grocery Delivery In Japan, E-Book Sales In U.S.

NPR  

Walmart To Launch Online Grocery Delivery In Japan, E-Book Sales In U.S. Enlarge this image toggle caption Yuya Shino/Reuters Yuya Shino/Reuters Walmart has a laser-like focus when it comes to finding ways to compete with rival Amazon.com, and the world's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer has announced its latest attempt. Walmart Stores, Inc. is joining with Japan's largest e-commerce retailer Rakuten to …

Online retailers give intelligent logistics a boost
7 years, 5 months ago

Online retailers give intelligent logistics a boost

China Daily  

A man sits on a mobile robot at an expo holds in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, Sept 8, 2017. Major Chinese online retailers are beefing up efforts to build intelligent logistics systems, by deploying robots in warehouses to enhance work efficiency, in preparation for the upcoming Singles Day shopping spree. Cainiao Network Technology Co Ltd, the smart logistics network of e-commerce …

Online retailers give intelligent logistics a boost
7 years, 5 months ago

Online retailers give intelligent logistics a boost

China Daily  

A man sits on a mobile robot at an expo holds in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, Sept 8, 2017. Major Chinese online retailers are beefing up efforts to build intelligent logistics systems, by deploying robots in warehouses to enhance work efficiency, in preparation for the upcoming Singles Day shopping spree. Cainiao Network Technology Co Ltd, the smart logistics network of e-commerce …

From AR to robots, we're finally getting the store of the future
7 years, 6 months ago

From AR to robots, we're finally getting the store of the future

Wired  

emojoez/iStock Shoppers have been promised ‘the store of the future’ for what feels like decades now. Swedish furnishing giant IKEA lets buyers see what furniture looks like in their home using their smartphones and tablets, and many stores now offer ‘magic mirror’ and AR dressing room technology so shoppers can try before they buy. Based on your answers we tap …

Amazon robots poised to revamp how Whole Foods warehouses are run
7 years, 9 months ago

Amazon robots poised to revamp how Whole Foods warehouses are run

Live Mint  

Seattle/New York: When Amazon.com Inc.’s $13.7 billion bid to buy Whole Foods was announced, John Mackey, the grocer’s chief executive officer, addressed employees, gushing about Amazon’s technological innovation. I think you’re gonna see Whole Foods Market evolve in leaps and bounds.” A major question about the acquisition is what Amazon’s technology will mean for those Whole Foods’ workers. In negotiations, …

How Amazon triggered a robot arms race
8 years, 9 months ago

How Amazon triggered a robot arms race

Live Mint  

New York: An Amazon warehouse is a flurry of activity. He decided to use the robots for Amazon and Amazon alone, ending the sale of Kiva’s products to warehouse operators and retailers that had come to rely on them. “Warehouses are very high tech places,” said Bruce Welty, co-founder and chairman of Locus Robotics, a firm that’s developed bots to …

Wal-Mart To Challenge Amazon On Drone Delivery
9 years, 5 months ago

Wal-Mart To Challenge Amazon On Drone Delivery

Huff Post  

FABRICE COFFRINI via Getty Images Wal-Mart Stores Inc applied Monday to U.S. regulators for permission to test drones for home delivery, curbside pickup and checking warehouse inventories, a sign it plans to go head-to-head with Amazon in using drones to fill and deliver online orders. In addition to having drones take inventory of trailers outside its warehouses and perform other …

Another store debuts customer service robots, this time in California
10 years, 5 months ago

Another store debuts customer service robots, this time in California

India TV News  

New York: Lowe's is testing whether robots can improve its customer service, like helping a shopper find a match for something as simple as a nail. Four robots are being tested an Orchard Supply Hardware store owned by Lowe's Companies Inc. in San Jose, California. The robots dubbed OSHbots look like white columns with two large black screens on either …

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