Giant Food Stores deploys robotic assistant
Consumers making their way to Giant Food Stores may notice a new addition to its staff.
The Carlisle, Pa.-based company announced the introduction of a new robotic assistant, which will be deployed in all of its 172 stores. Named “Marty,” the robot will work alongside associates due in part to a partnership between Ahold Delhaize USA’s Retail Business Services and Jabil, a subsidiary of Badger Technologies.
Marty already has been piloted in two of Giant’s locations in Pennsylvania in the past year, the company said.
“Bringing robotics and AI from a research lab to the sales floor has been a very exciting journey, and we were thrilled by the customer response in our pilot stores,” said Nicholas Bertram, president of Giant Food Stores. “Our associates have worked hard to bring this innovation to life with amazing partners.”
The robot, which moves around unassisted, is being used to identify such hazards as liquid, powder and bulk food-item spills, and it provides reporting that enables quick action. The retailer also hopes that by deploying the robot, associates will have more time to spend assisting customers, the company said.
Marty also will be deployed in Martin’s Food Markets over the next coming months, with expected completion slated for mid-2019.
The Carlisle, Pa.-based company announced the introduction of a new robotic assistant, which will be deployed in all of its 172 stores. Named “Marty,” the robot will work alongside associates due in part to a partnership between Ahold Delhaize USA’s Retail Business Services and Jabil, a subsidiary of Badger Technologies.
Marty already has been piloted in two of Giant’s locations in Pennsylvania in the past year, the company said.
“Bringing robotics and AI from a research lab to the sales floor has been a very exciting journey, and we were thrilled by the customer response in our pilot stores,” said Nicholas Bertram, president of Giant Food Stores. “Our associates have worked hard to bring this innovation to life with amazing partners.”
The robot, which moves around unassisted, is being used to identify such hazards as liquid, powder and bulk food-item spills, and it provides reporting that enables quick action. The retailer also hopes that by deploying the robot, associates will have more time to spend assisting customers, the company said.
Marty also will be deployed in Martin’s Food Markets over the next coming months, with expected completion slated for mid-2019.