Robot employees are slowly making their way into the New Zealand Market. With multiple restaurants across the nation already employing BellaBot, the team at G robotics encourages supermarkets to be next.
BellaBot is the newest design from Pudu, featuring superior human-to-robot interaction capabilities, laser spatial awareness and smart facial expressions. BellaBot, alongside PuduBot, HolaBot and KettyBot, want to make a mark on the supermarket floor - rest assured, it is not one you will have to scrub off. There is a robot to do that too.
"All businesses that employ our robots are extremely happy," said William Maile from G Robotics.
Designed to operate on flat surfaces, it was as though the robots were destined for supermarkets that already cater to a highway of shopping trolleys. But brands don't have to worry about causing a scene in busy aisles, as the robots use dual laser and visual navigation systems to detect obstacles.
BellaBot in particular, is ideal for in-store sampling. Standing at 1.29 metres tall, it features four levels of storage trays that can hold up to ten kilograms each - plenty of room for product. The range of facial expressions makes customer interactions with BellaBot feel more real, and the touch for feedback button provides a two-way experience.
The KettyBot is another great option for in-store sampling. While it provides slightly less product storage space, it is a marketing expert on wheels. It features a centred advertisement display that allows the promotion of digital media campaigns while interacting with customers.
A robot that is set to land on Kiwi shores mid-September will make another great option for supermarkets. The autonomous cleaning robot is one that can be left to its own devices to sweep, vacuum, scrub and mop. Exploring aisles while identifying and managing any mess, it can reach every corner of the supermarket floor. The cleaning bot is up to the job with both manual and automatic modes.
A unique and memorable customer experience is something brands can look forward to the most when using a robot in-store. At restaurants that currently employ BellaBot, customers are coming in specifically to meet it.
"We have reports that customers are requesting to be served by robots, interact with them and ask what nights they are working. This obviously has drawn in more customers as word spreads in the community," said Maile.
Compared to a human worker, when a robot is employed, there is no worry about hourly wages or wage increases with an affordable daily lease fee instead. Robots do not need allocated break times; With a battery life spanning from 12 to 24 hours, they can interact with customers on the shop floor day and night. Sampling or cleaning wouldn't need to be limited to daylight hours, it could target some of the early risers or night owls in store. No external factors rely on a robot, meaning there is no sick leave or uncertainty around staff showing up for a shift. Once a robot has been programmed, it is as easy as turning its power on and leaving it to roam the aisles.
G Robotics vision for supermarkets is almost a reality as Bellabot awaits its in-store debut.
You can also read this article in the August issue of Supermarket News here
