Latest news with #ScottKessler
Metro
30-04-2025
- Business
- Metro
Major UK supermarket first to trial aisle-roaming robots to work alongside staff
The next time you head to Morrisons, you might notice something – or someone – new among the aisles. In a UK first, the supermarket is introducing robots to help out around the store. The 'Tally' robots can be spotted in three Morrisons stores – Wetherby, Redcar and Stockton – and will primarily be used to check stock. Tally, which comes from US tech company, Simbe, can roam up and down the aisles, with no assistance, collecting data. And don't worry, it's clever enough to swerve a human if you cross it's path with your trolley. On LinkedIn, Seamus McHugh, head of European market development at Simbe said he was 'delighted' to have Simbe in Morrisons – after already being used in nine countries, including Germany, Portugal and France. Last year, the bots – which stand at 5ft 4in – found their way into American grocery chain, Tops. At the time, Scott Kessler, executive vice president of Tops' parent company said: '[It can] check accuracy of prices, check accuracy of promotional tags.' But, he acknowledged that 'any new technology is a little scary at first.' Shoppers in store at the time also said they'd been able to ask Tally wherethey could find certain ingredients. The new AI-tech begs the question then: how will this affect human employees? Morrisons told the Grocer that Tally will allow more time for real-life colleagues to focus on customer service, but they're the latest in a long-life of supermarket tech looking to improve on customer experience. Last year, Sainsbury's began testing out larger hybrid self-checkouts which featured conveyor belts as well as a bagging area. And in January, M&S began trailing new smart checkouts that calculate how much you owe, without customers (or staff) lifting a finger. More Trending But shoppers have previously had some choice words to say about in-store technology, calling it 'dystopian'. In a post on Facebook, one user was upset by the idea of missing out on human interactions at the supermarket, saying: 'Nope we DO NOT WANT THESE IN OUR SHOPS. 'I would always go to a till with a person, having a small chat with them and asking how they are doing – everyone has a bad day – can't do that with a computer.' And on X, another shopper lamented the 'loss of the friendly interactions,' adding, 'is it worth it?' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Tesco hikes the price of its popular meal deal by £3 MORE: ASDA issues urgent recall for chicken with wrong use-by date MORE: I don't need to shoplift — but why should a supermarket get all my money?
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta: Are humanoid robots reshaping the tech giant's AI narrative?
Meta Platforms stock (META) extends its record winning streak to its 20th consecutive session, having climbed over 23% in the past month. Third Bridge Global Sector Lead for Technology Media and Telecom Scott Kessler discusses Meta's winning streak and its new investment in AI-powered humanoid robots with Julie Hyman and Josh Schafer. "As someone that hasn't really thought much about valuation for a while at this point, but it's fair to say that there's a lot of momentum here. I think there's a lot of positive, fundamental underpinnings that people are interested in and focused on," Kessler shares. The tech analyst goes on say that while Meta has experienced various "mixed successes" in its consumer products and Reality Labs segment, the tech giant's new robotics venture is "something that's interesting to some people." To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination Overtime here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.
