Muffato and Sensei partner on Brazil's first autonomous supermarket

Sensei reports that Muffato has adopted its AI platform for what is pitched as Brazil's first autonomous supermarket.

The Muffato Go store, which opens tomorrow and is situated in Curitiba, Paraná, comes without queues, self-scanning or any form of physical checkout, and is the first deployment of Portugal-based Sensei's technology outside of Europe.

Shoppers download Muffato’s app, which generates a QR code that enables them to enter the store, pick up their items and leave.

A network of sensors provides the input Sensei's AI needs to keep track of the items each customer selects and returns throughout the 250 square metre location.

Shoppers are charged automatically for the products they take when they leave.

Data gathered by Sensei is provided in real-time to inform Muffato’s store operations optimisation, stock out detections and misplaced items and inventory management decisions.

Everton Muffato, CEO Muffato Group, comments: “Our new Muffato Go store is a huge step forward for Brazil's supermarket industry.”

“Sensei's groundbreaking technology allows Muffato Group to deliver one of the world's most modern and innovative shopping experiences and frees more team members to help customers around the store.”

Vasco Portugal, CEO and Co-founder, Sensei, says: "We’re very happy to be in Brazil, one of the largest retail markets globally.”

“We are thrilled of the impact we can generate in bringing a new level of convenience to in store shoppers in this country through autonomous technology. It’s an honour to be partnering with Muffato to open the country's first autonomous supermarket."

Tesco GetGo

Earlier this week, Tesco announced an expansion of its GetGo autonomous stores trial, with Chiswell Street Express now open in central London.

There will also be another location in London and one in Birmingham, allowing customers to shop and pay without scanning a product or using a checkout.

Like Chiswell Street, these will also offer the option of using a self-service or attended checkout if preferred.

The sites in Fulham Reach Express in Parrs Way, London, and Aston University Express in Aston, Birmingham are due to open over the next few months.

Tesco launched its first GetGo store in High Holborn in October 2021, which will continue to offer a purely checkout-free model.

Shoppers need to download the Tesco app and select the GetGo option. They can then walk in and pick their shopping, before scanning their app as they walk out.

Continuing Tesco's partnership with Trigo, a combination of cameras and weight sensors will establish what customers have picked up and charge them for products directly through the app when they leave the store.

There is a section specifically for age restricted products, with a separate exit where Tesco colleagues will manually conduct age verification.