#Japan #Tokyo #Seven-Eleven #Telexistence #Astra

Partnership to Innovate Retail using AI-driven Robots

In a groundbreaking development, Seven-Eleven Japan and Telexistence have forged a partnership aiming at creating humanoid robots powered by generative AI. The collaborative effort focuses on the Astra robot, designed specifically for retail environments. This partnership marks a significant step towards addressing labor shortages and optimizing various aspects of store operations.

Vision for the Future

The implementation of the Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model into Astra is at the heart of this initiative. By 2029, both companies are targeting the deployment of these robots within Seven-Eleven stores, effectively tackling the evolving challenges faced in the retail sector. Not only will Astra streamline tasks traditionally handled by human staff, but it aims to redefine customer experiences by allowing employees to focus on personalized service and business management—tasks that inherently require a human touch.

Enhancing Store Operations

The introduction of humanoid robots like Astra signifies more than just operational efficiency. It represents a shift in how stores can function, predicting a future where automatons handle repetitive tasks frequently performed at checkout counters, thereby freeing up staff for other critical service-oriented roles. The division of labor between humans and robots is poised to enhance store allure and customer engagement significantly.

Rationale Behind the Partnership

In recent years, the landscape around retail operations has undergone substantial changes, making the pursuit for sustainable practices ever more essential. Seven-Eleven has been proactive in addressing operational efficiency, integrating various technologies to improve workflow. This partnership is a logical progression aimed at further automating tasks such as product restocking and in-store cooking, ultimately enhancing productivity and reducing the reliance on human labor.

Key Areas of Focus

To ensure the successful integration of humanoid robots into retail by 2029, the partnership has outlined three primary initiatives:

1. Identifying Automatable Tasks: Focus on pinpointing areas within store operations where robotic automation is both technically feasible and economically viable, validating the effectiveness of automation.

2. Developing Custom Robots: Collaborate to develop hardware that addresses specific needs based on feedback from the store environment, ensuring the robots are well-suited for practical application.

3. Training the VLA Model: Utilize large-scale data collection to train the VLA model, combining operational data from Seven-Eleven stores with that gathered from Telexistence's existing systems, which already includes a remote-controlled beverage display robot called Ghost.

In addition to this, they plan to work with experts from Waseda University and the University of Tokyo, and collaborate with the AI Robot Association in Japan. This partnership will facilitate the gathering of extensive pre-training data, leading to rapid development and commercial application of AI-equipped robots.

Leveraging Real-World Data

Telexistence is already equipped with a robust data collection infrastructure through its existing robot, Ghost. This system enables the efficient gathering of operational data from retail environments. Combining this large dataset with the day-to-day operational data from Seven-Eleven will provide valuable insights for training the VLA model, aiming to create a vertically integrated system where AI and hardware work seamlessly together, expediting the route to practical application.

About Telexistence

Founded with the mission of "grasping every object in the world," Telexistence, Inc. is dedicated to developing and deploying practical robots, particularly within the retail and logistics sectors. By combining robotics with AI, the company seeks to transform the daily lives of people and their industrial structures.

For job seekers, Telexistence continues to look for a variety of positions, emphasizing teamwork and innovation, including roles in electrical engineering, mechanical design, and robotics systems engineering. Interested candidates can find more information on their careers page.

For media inquiries, please contact Telexistence via email at [email protected].