Kroger is testing autonomous aisle-scanning robots from two different companies at select stores.
The grocer is piloting Tally, Simbe's autonomous robot, in 35 locations in Indianapolis and four in Cincinnati, Simbe said Grocery Dive on Thursday. The pilot started in late 2024, the technology provider said.
Along with Simbe, Kroger is also testing an inventory-scanning robot nicknamed “Barney” at select stores, according to WLWT, a news station in the Cincinnati area. Judging by a picture posted by the news site, that second robot appears to be from Badger Technologies.
The Barney and Tally pilots are happening in 70 stores across Cincinnati and Indianapolis, WLWT reported.
A Kroger spokesperson told the news station that the grocer began piloting robotic technology in 2024 to "gain real-time insights on product inventory” and said that workers can more easily and quickly address low product availability or out-of-stocks on its shelves.
Kroger and Badger Technologies did not respond to requests for comment on the robots.
Kroger’s pilot of autonomous aisle-scanning bots comes as grocers turn to technology to streamline their operations and automate tasks previously performed by store workers.
Simbe has rolled out Tally to several grocers, including BJ’s Wholesale Club, SpartanNash, Schnuck Markets and Wakefern Food Corp. Earlier this year, Simbe introduced fixed sensor units for retailers to monitor products in specific areas of their stores, noting the new technology augments Tally’s capabilities.
Meanwhile, Badger Technologies has rolled out its inventory-scanning robots to grocers such as Woodman’s Markets, The Giant Company and Stop & Shop. At Stop & Shop, the robots are nicknamed “Marty” and have become unofficial mascots for the chain. In 2023, Stop & Shop and Badger Technologies updated Marty to monitor on-shelf availability in real time and detect misplaced items.
