Tech left teens fighting over scraps, and now it wants those too
- Robots are already being used to stock shelves at convenience stores in Japan, and it’s likely that major retailers like 7-11 and Walmart will adopt this technology soon.
- The use of robots for menial tasks like restocking shelves has improved significantly over the past five years due to advancements in machine vision and AI.
- Walmart previously experimented with shelf-scanning robots but ultimately gave up on them, but it’s likely that they will revisit this idea now that technology has advanced.
- The rise of automation and robotics is changing the job market for teens, who are increasingly choosing to remove themselves from the workforce due to limited job opportunities.
- As a result, companies like Walmart may turn to robots to fill labor gaps, potentially replacing human workers in low-skilled jobs like restocking shelves.
Right now, there are robots stocking convenience store shelves in Japan. We haven’t embraced that tech here in America yet, but it’s hard to imagine 7-11 or Walmart won’t at least experiment with it soon. Walmart gave up on its shelf-scanning robots in 2020, but machine vision and AI have improved a lot in the last five years, and it’s only a matter of time before it’s a machine refilling that row of family-sized Fruity Pebbles and not a kid earning some extra cash during senior year of high school.
Truth is, there just aren’t many jobs for teens out there anymore, and most of them have chosen to simply remove themselves from the job market …
Read the full story at The Verge.
Q. What is being used by robots in Japan?
A. Robots are currently stocking convenience store shelves.
Q. Will Walmart experiment with using robots to restock shelves soon?
A. It’s likely that Walmart will experiment with using robots to restock shelves, given the improvement in machine vision and AI technology.
Q. Why did Walmart give up on its shelf-scanning robot project in 2020?
A. Walmart gave up on its shelf-scanning robot project due to unknown reasons, but it’s possible that they may revisit the idea now with improved technology.
Q. What is a major challenge facing many teenagers today?
A. Many teenagers are struggling to find jobs and have chosen to remove themselves from the job market.
Q. How do robots currently assist in convenience stores?
A. Robots are currently assisting by stocking shelves, which could potentially lead to more automation in the future.
Q. Will 7-11 or Walmart start using robots to restock shelves soon?
A. It’s hard to imagine that these companies won’t experiment with using robots to restock shelves in the near future.
Q. What has improved significantly over the last five years?
A. Machine vision and AI have improved significantly over the last five years, making it more feasible for companies like Walmart to adopt robotic technology.
Q. Why is it unlikely that teenagers will return to working in stores?
A. The lack of job opportunities for teens has led many to remove themselves from the job market.
Q. What could be a potential outcome of robots taking over jobs in convenience stores?
A. Robots could potentially take over tasks such as restocking shelves, which would free up human workers to focus on other tasks.
Q. How do you think Walmart’s decision to give up on its shelf-scanning robot project will impact their future plans?
A. The fact that Walmart gave up on its shelf-scanning robot project in 2020 may not be a permanent setback, as they may revisit the idea with improved technology.