Tesco has become the latest supermarket to trial a human-sized inventory-scanning robot named Tally, but shoppers have taken to social media to describe the 6ft 5in machine as 'creepy' and 'terrifying'. Manufactured by Simbe Robotics, Tally autonomously navigates store aisles to check pricing, promotions, and stock levels using ultra-high-resolution imaging with 3D depth and 360-degree fisheye cameras.
Tally's Capabilities and How It Works
According to Simbe Robotics, Tally can detect 10 times more out-of-stock products than manual audits. The robot uses sensors and artificial intelligence to identify pricing errors, misplaced products, and out-of-stocks in real time. Data is delivered to store teams via a mobile app or printed report. The manufacturer describes Tally as 'a friendly face' with a 'compact design that fits seamlessly into busy store environments'.
Shopper Reactions on Social Media
However, shoppers who spotted Tally in Morrisons and Tesco have shared mixed reactions on TikTok. Some called it 'creepy' and 'terrifying', while others expressed concern it would 'take people's jobs'. 'Using robots is asking for trouble,' one commenter wrote. But not everyone was put off; some found Tally 'cute' and 'adorable' due to its small face. A TikTok video by user @cc5581 captioned 'A bit of company at 5am on a Sunday morning' showed the robot startling the user.
Tesco's Trial and Broader Robot Deployment
Tesco is currently testing Tally in just one supermarket, with a spokesperson saying the retailer is 'looking forward to learning from the trial'. The trial follows Morrisons, which began testing similar robots in three stores last year. Tesco is also deploying 600 cleaning robots in its Express Stores from June to handle floor cleaning, allowing staff to focus on customer service. Retail expert Toby Pickard from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) commented on LinkedIn that these moves suggest Tesco is 'building towards the hyper-connected store, where robotics, AI, computer vision, digital shelf infrastructure and connected operations work together to create smarter store execution, empower store colleagues, and ultimately deliver a better shopping experience'.
Industry Context and Future Outlook
The introduction of Tally is part of a broader trend in retail automation. Supermarkets have been adopting electronic shelf labels, facial recognition scanners, and other tech advancements. Whether other retailers will follow Tesco's lead remains to be seen, but the trial signals growing confidence in robotic inventory management.
