Japan: FamilyMart to pilot VR robots to stock shelves

Convenience chain envisages that using remote-controlled robots can raise productivity and cut staff costs.

Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart is partnering with Tokyo-based robot development company Telexistence to introduce remote-controlled robots to stock shelves in its stores in Japan, reports Nikkei. The company envisions that introducing robots can raise the productivity and reduce the number of staff working in stores.

FamilyMart and Telexistence will carry out a feasibility test by the end of July in selected FamilyMart stores in Tokyo. The partners will then examine efficiency results to check if remote-controlled robots reduce labor costs.
FamilyMart expects to introduce the robots in all its stores across Japan in 2022 the earliest.

The robots are remotely controlled by an operator through a virtual reality terminal. They will be able to move as humans do, and will have the capacity to handle 30 items, including plastic bottles and instant noodles.

At present, robots can place items on a shelf in eight seconds, while for humans it only takes five seconds to complete this task. Telexistence says it will work on improving robots’ speed delivery to achieve the same level as humans, and also expands the number of items robots can handle.