Robot feuds and metaverse misses: here are last week’s most read RTIH retail technology articles
These are the RTIH articles that caught your fancy last week, including Valtech, Specsavers, AutoStore, Ocado, Walmart, Amazon, Nando’s, Pricer, and Grab2Go.
Valtech announces partnership with Specsavers to optimise optical retailer’s customer facing technology
As a consultant for Specsavers, Valtech will work with it to optimise its approach to digitisation by not only helping to integrate the right technology for its business needs, but also refine ways of working and technology operations across its different regions.
A key part of the partnership will focus on identifying where speed and efficiency improvements can be made within its tech stack and advising how technology can be used to advance Specsavers’ goal of ensuring an exceptional customer experience.
Additionally, Specsavers will tap into Valtech’s global delivery team to ensure it has the right people with the right skillset to drive crucial aspects of its digital transformation journey.
AutoStore must think big and reevaluate strategy following Ocado robots feud legal showdown
AutoStore had originally asserted six patents against Ocado in October 2020.
Of these, two were invalidated by the European Patent Office before judgment was handed down, two were withdrawn by AutoStore shortly before the hearing started and the remaining two were invalidated in last week’s judgement.
AutoStore claimed that the decision had no impact on its business or operations.
Whilst that may be true, should the company take this opportunity to reevaluate its strategy?
Walmart Universe of Play leaves Roblox metaverse just six months after its high profile launch
Walmart has binned a branded space in Roblox called Universe of Play just six months after a splashy entrance on to the immersive experiences scene.
This follows claims by nonprofit consumer advocacy group Truth in Advertising and other watchdogs that the metaverse game not only blurred the distinction between advertising content and organic content, but also lacked required disclosures and manipulated kids into viewing and interacting with stealth ads.
Walmart said the Universe of Play move was “as planned.”
The US retail giant touted the offering as “the ultimate virtual toy destination,” with products and characters from kid friendly franchises Paw Patrol, Jurassic World, L.O.L. Surprise! and more.
During the launch last year, William White, Chief Marketing Officer at Walmart U.S., said: “”We’re showing up in a big way – creating community, content, entertainment and games through the launch of Walmart Land and Walmart’s Universe of Play.”
“Roblox is one of the fastest growing and largest platforms in the metaverse, and we know our customers are spending loads of time there. So, we’re focusing on creating new and innovative experiences that excite them, something we’re already doing in the communities where they live, and now, the virtual worlds where they play.”
File under ‘interesting failures’, then.
Starring Panera, Amazon, Tesco, and Ikea: March’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, deployments and pilots from March, including American Eagle Outfitters, RADAR, Tommy Hilfiger, Emperia, Nando’s, and Karakuri.
AFL and Amazon chalk up a Southern Hemisphere first as they introduce Just Walk Out technology at Marvel Stadium
The AFL (Australian Football League) has announced that Marvel Stadium will become the first venue in the Southern Hemisphere to introduce Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology for checkout-free purchases.
This will be available at two outlets known as ‘The Runner’ - one food and beverage and one bar - in time for the early rounds of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Fans will use their credit or debit card, or mobile wallet payment option at entry, collect their items, and leave the store without having to wait in line to checkout.
Just Walk Out technology is made possible by artificial intelligence like computer vision and deep learning techniques, including generative AI, to accurately determine who took what in a store.
Amazon says that it built synthetic datasets to mimic millions of realistic shopping scenarios, including variations in store format, lighting conditions, and even crowds of shoppers, to ensure accuracy in any environment.
The technology is currently in use at sports venues across the US, including TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics (NBA) and Boston Bruins (NHL), and Climate Pledge Arena, home of the Seattle Kraken (NHL).
Fans purchasing alcohol will be required to show their ID to a store attendant for age verification.
Cost-of-living crisis sends Brits in to discounter switching territory, Pricer research shows
The continued cost-of-living squeeze is prompting consumers to switch their grocery spend to discounter supermarkets, such as Aldi and Lidl, as well as making people less loyal to the brands they buy from, according to research from Pricer.
‘A game-changer in the healthcare industry’: Grab2Go launches its first autonomous pharmacy unit in Estonia
Grab2Go has opened a pharmacy self-service solution in Estonia.
Customers can select the product they need, use their preferred method of payment, and the machine will dispense it immediately.
The solution can also be used in convenience and petrol stations to sell products such as drinks and beverages, snacks, and other food items.
In a press release, Grab2Go says: “With the necessary regulatory changes now in place, these innovative self-service pharmacies are set to become a game-changer in the healthcare industry.”
“By allowing customers to access a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and healthcare products, 24/7, we are bringing greater convenience and accessibility to those who need it most.”
Perfect chips: Nando’s completes first trial of Karakuri /FRYR210 automated fry line
Nando’s UK has become the first to trial Karakuri’s /FRYR automated fry line as it aims to deliver the perfect chips in its Park Royal restaurant.
This combines robotics, edge computing, and hyperscale data analysis to provide restaurants with production of up to 550 portions of chips per hour.
Cameron Roberts, Group Chief Operating Officer at Nando’s, says: “We want to deliver uplifting and memorable experiences for our customers, with delicious quality food and good value at the heart.”
“In testing Karakuri’s /FRYR, we wanted to see how we can further improve the quality, consistency, and availability of our chips, while meeting our environmental objectives of reducing food and oil waste and reducing energy consumption.”
Obsess launches virtual store builder, enabling brands to create and customise 3D e-commerce experiences
Obsess has announced the launch of AVA by Obsess, pitched as a first of its kind, self-serve solution that enables brand teams to build and customise virtual stores themselves.
The content management system (CMS) leverages proprietary 3D editing and rendering technology that enables companies to add and place products, embed rich media content, and customise merchandising and styling in virtual stores.
Czech Republic retailer Albert reports Brain Corp autonomous robotic cleaning fleet milestone
Ahold Delhaize owned retailer Albert has announced, in partnership with Brain Corp and Tennant Co., that its fleet of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) deployed across its Czech Republic hypermarkets and two distribution centres have officially cleaned over 20 million square metres (215 million square feet), completing over 92,000 cleaning routes.
During 2023, it will almost double the number of stores with robot deployments.
“Last year we put a number of autonomous scrubbers into operation and this year we plan to continue to scale up their use. Altogether, almost double the number of robots will be operating in our stores by the end of March,” says Pavel Klemera, Operations Support Manager at Albert.
“Robots clean precisely, don´t skip any space and help our employees to save their effort so, they can use the time to elevate our customers’ experience.“
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