Posted on 11/27/2017 7:28:07 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Cleaning the floors at Walmart isn’t exactly an enviable job — and now it’s one humans no longer have to do. As originally reported by LinkedIn, the retail giant is currently applying some high-tech to a generally low-paying task. Walmart now has self-driving machines of its own, but you won’t see any of them on highways. Rather, these bristle-wielding devices designed by Brain Corp. are autonomously rolling themselves around Walmart stores, cleaning up after customers and employees.
The autonomous floor cleaner is currently being tested in five stores in the vicinity of company headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. With its sensors, cameras, and even Lidar, the floor scrubber features all the bells and whistles of a self-driving car, though for different purposes. As LinkedIn noted, the machine exists somewhere between a Roomba and a Tesla. And while a human is needed to first show the scrubber the ropes (guiding it on its path, alerting it as to when the store is busiest and emptiest), the autonomous vacuum otherwise works on its own.
“We’re always testing new ideas and new technology,” Walmart spokesperson Kory Lundberg told LinkedIn. “We still have a lot more to learn about how this technology will work best for our different retail locations.”
Though folks may not generally associate Walmart with cutting-edge technology, the retailer has made strides in recent months to integrate digital innovation into its stores. For example, there’s the Walmart app, meant to speed up both the checkout and return process, as well as the Walmart grocery delivery service, in which folks actually walk into your home and drop off purchases.
In fact, this is far from Walmart’s first foray into robot technology. In October, the company expanded its existing fleet of robots to even more retail locations, where these machines are slated to take on monotonous tasks like “scanning shelves for out-of-stock items, incorrect prices, and wrong or missing labels.”
Of course, all this automation has employees concerned that their jobs might be in danger. “Retailers are looking for opportunities to automate processes and stop paying people,” nots Richard A. Feinberg, a professor of consumer sciences and retailing at Purdue University, in a LinkedIn interview. “It changes the nature of the jobs; it may not mean fewer jobs, it may mean they can retrain the people to do things that are more useful for them, business-wise,” he added. “It wouldn’t surprise me if it reduces head count, but I don’t know.”
But when it comes to scrubbing floors, it seems like few folks will be complaining about having that particular task removed from their list of responsibilities.
How long before the floor sweeper has a turret mounted on it and begins to multi-task as store security? :)
Seriously? How's that $15/hour minimum wage thingy working out for ya?
Well, I do despise those automated ordering things at McDonalds. I NEVER effing use them.
I think it should be mentioned that Wal Mart’s generally contract out overnight cleaning, so rather than wiping out any jobs, they’re likely bringing someone in to supervise the robot and replenish supplies onboard. Which also probably means two or more someones for the average 24 hour store.
Illegals most impacted, as it seems that most stores find the employer with the most illegals on the payroll that they can. (Part of their equal opportunity program - well, maybe an unintended part.)
it gets even better, that is $15 in fixed costs that can be leveraged to reduce prices for battling competition.
Used one of the automated ordering kiosks the other day; took nearly 28 minutes for 4 burgers and 3 fries - well, 3 burgers, 3 fries, as they forgot to include a big mac. I was so frustrated by the long wait I did what I rarely do, left without checking (though a big red flag should have been just one bag...)
Amen!! With those damn things, it takes 20 minutes to try to get the order right.
I refuse to use them.
Nahh, it took nearly 30 minutes for the employees behind the counter to bag up the paid for meal; it took only 4 minutes or so to order 4 burgers and 3 fries with customizations on each. Faster than using the counter.
I despise:
1. No gas station attendant to put gas in my car, clean my windshield, check my tires, and check the oil
2. Having to take my groceries out of my cart to put on the conveyor belt
3. Having to use self-checkout kiosks because all the cash register people and baggers were all fired
4. Having to put my own grocery bags in the car
5. Dishwashers that don’t wash and don’t dry
But, I have to admit, I do really like not having to show up at the bank during “bankers hours” to get cash and not writing checks; having endless streams of music from all over the world at my fingertips; having my 5,000 song collection sitting on a server; personal customized music playlists; seeing my photos immediately without having to wait for the film to come back and see if any turned out.
bbb
Just have a warehouse that stores everything, order it online, and have one of the many delivery services bring it to your front door. So much easier than having to get in the car and drive to a store.
“Retailers are looking for opportunities to automate processes and stop paying people,” notes Richard A. Feinberg.
Mr. Feinberg, sorry, retailers are looking for a way to not go out of business in the next decade because they have been made redundant by Amazon.
Robots doing jobs humans cannot do.
I wonder if it’ll scoop up any of those ankle-biter canines I see there now and then?
We used one at Panera in Chicago last year and it was surprisingly easy and efficient.
Wanna bet how many lazy arse overweight democrats try getting on one mistaking it for a scooter? They will of course fall off and then sue Walmart for several million dollars.
Also, one of the videos I saw of this looked like a Whole Foods. Bezos loves robots. They’ll be everywhere.
I am waiting for pic of security dog riding the cleaning machine
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