Produce Robots Start Popping Up at Grocery Stores in Illinois

With the population shrinking across the western world, don’t be surprised to see more robots covering tasks that flesh and blood humans currently do --or used to. The next example has arrived in the produce department at certain Illinois grocery stores.

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Delivery robots carrying food and beverages already roam around. In some areas drones can now deliver packages to your house. Cleaning robots have been available for purchase for years now to clean your floors. Security robots are being deployed on streets and parking lots. Up next, be prepared for the produce bot.

Have you seen me working?

Del Monte Foods, producer of canned and jarred fruits and vegetables for sides and snacks, also is in the business of fresh produce. Del Monte is rolling out (literally) a produce bot to meander around the produce section of grocery stores to bring the fruit to you. The trial robot will be loaded up with bananas, and will speak to you about and offer their bananas. There will be a video screen will show banana recipes and uses to inspire shoppers. Initially these produce bots will be deployed at Jewel-Osco locations in Fox Lake, Huntley and Westmont, Illinois.

Banana Bot employed at Wesmont, Illinois Jewel-Osco (for now)

The produce bots are about four feet tall and their application for a base model could be imagined in hospitals and senior living facilities, but wandering around produce at the grocery store? Will Chiquita have a banana bot too? Seems the store itself could decide what sale item or product to place on the bot more efficiently than a produce company. Will the bot be able to refill itself, or will produce staff have to make sure that the banana bot is full of product, and that it looks inviting? As is, the banana bot position may not be a long-term thing. The Illinois trial ends at the end of the month. One thing is clear, bots will be a part of our future. The question to be figured out is 'In what capacity, and where?'.