Walmart set to roll out 'autonomous janitors'

[brooklynite]

Source: The Hill

Walmart announced on Monday that it plans to deploy 360 custodial robots by the end of January that will mop the floors of some of its stores.

The retailer said in a joint statement with developer Brain Corp. that the machines will be able to scrub floors even with customers around. The robots will feature multiple sensors that allow them to scan for people and obstacles.

"BrainOS technology allows robots to effectively and safely function in complex, crowded environments, ensuring increased productivity and efficiency across applications," Brain Corp. CEO Eugene Izhikevich said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to work alongside Walmart to help build intelligent, connected stores."

Bloomberg first reported on the announcement. The devices resemble a miniature Zamboni, the machine used to resurface ice at ice-skating rinks, and a motorized wheelchair, the news outlet said, and are already in use at airports in Seattle, Boston and Miami.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/419409-walmart-to-roll-out-autonomous-janitors

[appleannie1943]

1. Pretty soon there won't be any jobs left for people to do.

[Maxheader]

22. Casually walking down the walmart aisle when...

I accidentally spill some 90 weight gear lube on the floor...

[dalton99a]

2. Thus freeing more resources to take care of the checkout lines

[pangaia]

8. Robot-ot-ot-ot-ot

"BrainOS technology allows robots to effectively and safely function in complex, crowded environments, ensuring increased productivity and efficiency across applications,"

Spoken like a true robot..-ot -ot -ot -ot ...

[Sherman A1]

29. Those will all be automated as well

As I’m sure you know, just like many other jobs that are being automated and consolidated. Every sector of the economy will be affected.

[redwitch]

3. I may finally go to Walmart.

So I can trip over one of them and sue.

[KPN]

11. LOL! Exactly what I was thinking!

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

12. Me, too...

...eom.

[PeeJ52]

4. If I see one, I'll kick it's water bucket...

At least they'll need a person for clean-up on aisle 9.

[nycbos]

5. And I for one welcome or new robot overlords.

[Javaman]

6. they'll probably be bought from a 3rd world country and have poor maintenance.

this is a poke at wally worlds past hiring practices.

[RandiFan1290]

23. lol

[hatrack]

7. $11 an hour?!?!

That's too fucking high!!

[Recursion]

10. Well, I mean, if it doesn't translate to $11 / hour of revenue for the store, yes

In that case it's too high.

[Yosemito]

9. Greasy spills too?

These require a special absorbent powder.
And a broom instead of a mop.

[eppur_se_muova]

13. WaldeMort should start looking into autonomous robotic customers ...

... then they can just lock their doors and not have any contact with people at all.

[tinrobot]

14. So, basically a giant Roomba?

We've had those for a while. I don't see much need for outrage.

[radical noodle]

17. No. The one I saw was more human sized

I actually didn't see it do anything other than try to navigate through the crowd

[FakeNoose]

15. Well see, the real reason is ...

... "we don't have to worry about robots stealing stuff." - Walmart management

[radical noodle]

16. There was one being tried out in our local

Walmart the other day. I talked to the guy who was trying to get it to work. It was big, clunky and looked as though it wouldn't mind running down the customers. He didn't seem to be pleased with the way it was working. We have a huge number of older folks here and I see potential disaster ahead.

[LisaM]

18. I saw one of these at the Seattle airport! It was awful!

I was there late at night and the thing seemed to be coming after me. It was unnerving.

[dembotoz]

19. instead of clean up on aisle 4 you will hear 100110110001010011110001110100100011111

[jmowreader]

20. This'll make ya go "hmmm..."

I went to the Brain Corp. website. They build a package of sensors and computers, and sell it to a floor-machine company to install in one of its preexisting models. There are four of them, from four different builders...and all four have driver's seats.

[gfwzig]

21. Foiled by a "boss" bottle of Pepsi in it's path!

[YOHABLO]

24. Anyone out there remember Woody Allen movie ''Sleeper''? That's where we're headed.

[crazycatlady]

25. I'm mixed about this

On one hand, I hate to see jobs being taken away.

On the other hand, it might mean that Walmart's bathrooms are actually cleaned.

[democratisphere]

26. Wonder what autonomous customers buy?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. Might be kinda cool if they got a bunch of these:

[underpants]

28. Can Walmart buy life insurance on these?

Just asking.