#Japan #Tokyo #7-Eleven #AI Robots #Telexistence

Revolutionizing Retail with AI Humanoid Robots

In a groundbreaking move, 7-Eleven Japan has entered a partnership with Telexistence, a company known for its innovative robotic technologies, to develop humanoid robots for retail applications. The initiative focuses on the creation of Astra, a humanoid robot that utilizes generative AI. The collaboration aims to implement Astra in 7-Eleven stores by 2029, addressing the growing challenges of labor shortages and evolving market demands.

The Vision Behind Astra

Astra is not merely a tool for efficiency; it represents a transformative leap in store operations. By automating repetitive tasks that often occupy cashiers, Astra aims to free up human employees to focus on customer service and store management. This shift allows for a more engaging customer experience, as staff can dedicate time to tasks that require a human touch, such as personal shopping recommendations. The goal is to create a harmonious environment where robots and humans work side by side, enhancing the overall store atmosphere and customer interaction.

Addressing Industry Challenges

The retail landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years, leading to an increased emphasis on sustainable operations and workforce optimization. Recognizing this trend, 7-Eleven has continually integrated new technologies to improve efficiency. The partnership with Telexistence is a strategic move to leverage robotics for various in-store functions, including inventory management and food preparation, thereby aiming to optimize operations.

Key Areas of Collaboration

The partnership will focus on three primary initiatives:
1. Identifying areas of store operations where automation through robotics can be economically and technically feasible, followed by thorough evaluations of their effectiveness.
2. Developing hardware for humanoid robots that are responsive to real-world challenges based on feedback from store operations.
3. Gathering and organizing a large dataset of robotic motion data for the Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model, which will enable advanced learning and implementation.

In collaboration with esteemed academic institutions and the AI Robot Association, both organizations will develop comprehensive datasets to support the VLA model. This will expedite the practical application of AI technologies within the retail sector, ensuring that the robots are not just innovative but also highly functional in real-world environments.

Utilizing Real-World Data

Telexistence already operates a remote-controlled beverage display robot named Ghost, which serves as a foundation for collecting operational data in convenience stores. By integrating the extensive data gathered from this system with insights from 7-Eleven’s business operations, the partnership aims to create a robust dataset for training the VLA model. This will facilitate the end-to-end learning process, ensuring that the AI-driven robots are holistically integrated with their operational environment, leading to rapid and efficient deployment.

Telexistence's Mission

Telexistence is on a mission to transform how industries operate by developing practical robotic solutions that incorporate both robotics and AI. With a focus on retail and logistics, their innovative approaches promise to reshape human experiences and industry structures.

Ultimately, the partnership between 7-Eleven Japan and Telexistence heralds a new era for the retail industry, where AI and humanoid robots become integral to operations, potentially redefining the customer experience in profound ways.