Seven-Eleven Japan and Telexistence prep roll-out of genAI powered humanoid robots in stores
Telexistence and Seven-Eleven Japan (SEJ) have entered into a partnership to jointly develop and introduce humanoid robots powered by generative AI. ‘Astra’ will be equipped with a Vision-Language-Action (VLA) foundation model, with deployment in Seven-Eleven stores targeted for 2029.
The aim here is to provide solutions to rising labour costs and workforce shortages. Robots will take on routine in-store operations, allowing employees to focus on services that only humans can deliver.
The initiative is in collaboration with the AI Robot Association (AIRoA) - whose leadership includes Professor Tetsuya Ogata (Waseda University), Professor Yutaka Matsuo (University of Tokyo), Toyota Motor Corporation, and TX.
TX operates a large scale data collection platform through its beverage restocking robot, Ghost. The tie up will see the integration of TX’s data collection platform with SEJ’s network of more than 20,000 stores.
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2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Automation will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards. which are now closed for entries with our finalists and shortlists being announced last week, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”
He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”
“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”
Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering.
For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.
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