The pace at which robotics and artificial intelligence have advanced is impressive, to say the least.
But it’s one thing to read about it in the news compared to experiencing the reality. That’s why two customers expressed apprehension when they saw one high-tech security robot in a supermarket, as you can see here:
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Video credit: Rumble
The robot is named Marty. Don’t let its goofy looks fool you, though. It’s a high-tech piece of equipment that the supermarket, in this case, “Stop & Shop” supermarket in White Plains, New York, paid millions to acquire.
Marty uses “image capturing technology” and motion detectors to monitor aisles for any spillage or need to re-stock the shelves.
Of course, it also keeps an eye on employees and customers alike. But with privacy concerns on the top of most peoples’ lists, store representatives made a vague assurance that the robot was not recording customers for any other reason except safety.
But employees have been complaining because the company reportedly announced that they were broke but were able to shell out $9 million for the robot with plans for more of them later on. Employees can’t understand why the company has embarked on such a costly project when they’ve been cutting staff to save on costs.
Customers are not feeling reassured, either. They find the robot often blocking the way so that they need to circle around it just to get to the aisle they’re looking for. Not only that, the prospect of an automated machine potentially following you around and recording who knows what is not something that’s comforting. After all, “security” and “robot” don’t tend to go well together.
Perhaps it’s all those Terminator movies that have ingrained themselves into the collective psyche over the years but even putting googly eyes is not enough to make customers comfortable.
Which begs the question, if enough customers feel uncomfortable, will that convince them to stop going to the store? That’s certainly something that remains to be seen.
But with other supermarkets supposedly following suit, this may just be something that customers will need to get used to in the days to come.
Replaced!