Tesco has launched a trial of a 6ft 5in robot named Tally that autonomously roams its aisles, using AI computer vision and advanced sensors to continuously monitor shelves for empty spaces, misplaced products and incorrect prices. The supermarket giant says the robot will help staff spot gaps on shelves more efficiently, boosting product availability.
How the Tally Robot Works
The robot, developed by Simbe Robotics, can detect 10 times more out-of-stock products than manual auditing methods, according to its makers. It identifies pricing errors and misplaced items, then provides store colleagues with prioritised reports via mobile apps and digital or printed reports, enabling faster resolution of issues.
Industry expert Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, spotted the robot operating inside a Tesco store and shared details on LinkedIn. He wrote: "This marks a first for Tesco in the UK and only the second time we've seen a major UK retailer trialling autonomous shelf-scanning technology."
Trial Scope and Industry Context
The trial is currently taking place in one Tesco store, with plans to extend to a small number of additional locations. Morrisons was the first UK retailer to test Simbe robots, rolling them out in April 2025. Earlier this year, Morrisons also began trialling AI-powered trolleys with touchscreens, sensors, built-in scales and cameras that automatically identify products as shoppers place them in their basket.
Pickard added: "Rather than relying on manual audits, the robot captures shelf conditions multiple times a day and provides store teams with prioritised action lists via mobile apps and digital or printed reports. The goal is simple: resolve issues faster, improve inventory accuracy, and free up colleagues to spend more time serving customers."
Impact on Store Operations
Tesco's trial aims to reduce manual checks by staff, allowing them to focus on customer service. The robot's continuous monitoring is expected to improve inventory accuracy and quickly address shelf gaps, pricing errors and misplaced items. If successful, the trial could be expanded to more stores, marking a significant step in the use of autonomous technology in UK retail.
