Mass distribution: robots to replace gondola heads in stores

The innovation of the day is a bit worrying.

We knew the messages of promotions or flash sales on the speakers of stores, now arrive robots that roam the aisles to sell us products.

We knew the displays full of candies, chocolate bars or chewing gum that there are always in front of supermarket checkouts.

You have to imagine the same thing, but installed on a robot like R2D2.

It is therefore a sort of traveling gondola head that will walk completely independently in the aisles.

And as soon as a barge arrives nearby, she will broadcast a message to offer him Snikers, M & M's or Bounty.

Not just any brand, since it is the Mars Group, the confectionery giant, which is behind this robot.

It's his new weapon to push us to make impulse purchases long before we get to the checkout.

How are these robots programmed?

Are they going to harass us or leave us alone?

For now, this is still a test in a few witness stores.

They certainly try out several scenarios to find out which one will be the most effective.

Note also that the robot takes the opportunity to record a whole lot of data on what people look at, touch, pose, rest and on their movements in the store.

So even if they remain discreet and silent, these robots will be a gold mine of information on our behavior in supermarkets.

Do we have any idea when these spy robot-vendors will be deployed?

Not yet.

Everything will depend on the results of the experiment.

But if it is a success, we may soon be pursued by a dozen robots, each begging us to buy their products.

In any case, it must be admitted, it is a great tip to prepare a possible ban on sweets in front of store checkouts.