As the labor shortage in the convenience store industry became serious, robots started to manage the inventory of products such as drinking water on behalf of the clerk and display them automatically.
This initiative is being carried out by FamilyMart, a major convenience store, in collaboration with the government and a venture company in Tokyo that develops robots. On the 2nd, a new robot was introduced at a store in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The robot is placed in the backyard of the store, and when it determines that there is not enough products such as drinking water by detecting the depth of the product shelves with a camera, it can automatically select and replenish the missing products.
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, it is the first time in the convenience store industry to introduce a robot that can automatically manage and replenish product inventories.
Display work such as drinking water is expected to account for about 20% to 30% of the total work of convenience store clerk, and it is expected that the introduction of robots will lead to the solution of labor shortage.
Kensuke Hosomi, president of FamilyMart, said, "Beverages are displayed in a harsh environment with a temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius, so I have high hopes that the replacement of robots will reduce the burden on the clerk."
In addition, Toshimitsu Fujiki, director of the Manufacturing Industries Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said, "Unmanned, automated, and non-contact robots are in great demand. I want to expect it. "