Imagine going to your local supermarket and being greeted, served and checked-out by robots. Think it’s impossible? Guess again. The UK-based Tesco supermarket is currently experimenting with a line of robotic, wearable and cognitive computing innovations to change the way you shop.
Tesco is trying to stay ahead of the competition – and not just by slashing prices. Tesco believes that the retail experience should get a digital face-lift, and is working on the very technology to make it possible. Tesco’s Labs division is working hard on a number of innovations, all powered by IBM’s Watson.
Watson is a supercomputer that uses existing data to create new ideas ( also known as, thinking). The cognitive computer works a lot like the human mind and Tesco is experimenting to see if artificial intelligence can enhance its business strategy. So far, the robotic brain has successfully created a number of “palatable” recipes to serve customers in-store (unless you are confident computers know enough about how the human palate works you might want to be careful to make sure the food isn’t laced with robopoison. You never do know when robots will decide to take over the world).
Tesco’s eerie concept innovations include wearables that can keep track of inventory, incorporating cognitive computing into novel business strategies and robotics that can do your job, only better. Tesco is currently working on a robotic system that can do all of the warehousing and inventory duties usually reserved for… humans. And it won’t be long before robots are employed by the giant supermarket chain. Tesco Chief Information Officer Mike McNamara said the company expects to begin using the technology within the next five years (and the job market for those with advanced degrees doesn’t look much better… time to start asking grandpa about subsistence farming).
Tesco is on the front of the technology wave that has yet to hit the retail sector. In a handful of years, the shopping experience could be entirely automated (which poses some interesting questions about the future of crime, and the job market of the future, or lack thereof). Hold onto your jobs while you can, but don’t be surprised if the HumanBot2000 replaces you. Who really wants to work 40 hours a week anyway? Now you can pursue that painting career you’ve always wanted… until, you know, RoboPicasso hits the scene. C’est la vie.
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