7 Robotics Companies Transforming Retail

As technology continues to change, retailers are turning to robotics to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and stay competitive. From automated inventory management to customer service robots, the retail industry is undergoing a significant transformation, all thanks to robotics.

In this blog post, we will dive into the world of robotics for retail stores, highlighting 7 companies that are revolutionizing the industry. These companies are not only changing the way retailers operate but are also reshaping the shopping experience for customers around the globe. Whether it's a humanoid robot greeting you at the entrance or an autonomous robot efficiently managing warehouse operations, these companies are at the forefront of this exciting retail revolution.

Let's explore how these pioneers are using robotics to redefine retail and why they are the ones to watch in this rapidly evolving sector:

1. Amazon Robotics: Watching Amazon's fulfillment center is a thing of engineering beauty. Amazon Robotics is known for its automated storage and retrieval systems used in Amazon's fulfillment centers.

2. Fetch Robotics: Fetch Robotics provides on-demand automation solutions in the form of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in warehouses, manufacturing, and distribution centers. Back in 2021 Zebra, one of the largest barcode scanning companies acquired Fetch robotics. The acquisition allows Zebra to offer a complete, end-to-end solution that can automate every aspect of a warehouse, from data collection to material movement.

They also created a helpful ROI calculator for companies who are thinking of implementing robotics in their warehouses.

3. Aldebaran: designs and manufactures interactive and friendly robots. Their humanoid robot, Pepper, is used in retail stores to welcome, educate, guide customers and gather data (foot traffic, conversion rates, etc).

Companies such as Nestlé, Renault, Carrefour, Costa, Uniqlo already use Pepper for some of their stores in Europe and Japan.

4. Simbe Robotics:  After recently raising $28M in Series B funding, Simbe Robotics is making waves in the retail industry with their flagship product, Tally. Tally is the world's first autonomous shelf-scanning robot. Capable of auditing around 10,000 items in just 30 minutes, Tally provides retailers with up-to-date information and insights, leading to optimized store operations and improved customer satisfaction.

Tally has been implemented in over 12 of the top 250 global retail chains spanning the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

5. Knightscope: Knightscope designs and builds Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) that provide 24/7/365 security. Their robots are equipped with numerous sensors allowing them to monitor and report suspicious activities, detect people and vehicles, and even recognize license plates and faces. Their robots are designed to operate both indoors and outdoors, and they can navigate autonomously, avoid obstacles, and recharge themselves.

They offer a variety of product lines, each with distinct capabilities tailored to specific use cases. For instance, they have models designed for indoor environments such as malls and offices, as well as outdoor machines suitable for locations like parking lots and campuses.

Knightscope's robots have been deployed in a few retail stores, including Lowes:

6. Brain Corp's partnership with Walmart has led to the introduction of BrainOS-powered floor scrubbers in their stores. These "robots from Walmart" as some know them as, allow store associates to map a route during an initial training ride and then activate autonomous floor cleaning with the simple press of a button. Equipped with multiple sensors, these robots scan their surroundings for people and obstacles, ensuring the highest level of safety and performance in the industry. This collaboration between Brain Corp and Walmart is a good signal to the increasing role of robotics in retail.

7. Boston Dynamics: No robotics conversation would be complete without Boston Dynamics. Known for their advanced robots with remarkable behavior flexibility, speed, and agility.  Their robots, such as Spot and Stretch, can be used for tasks like inventory management, shelf restocking, and even cleaning.

For example, Spot their dog like robot.  Spot has the ability to navigate complex environments, can be used for scanning barcodes and checking inventory,

Stretch, on the other hand, was designed for warehouse environments, can handle package sorting and moving goods.

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