Tesco has launched a trial of a 6.5-foot-tall artificial intelligence-powered robot named Tally, designed to autonomously roam aisles and scan shelves to assist staff with stock replenishment. The robot, created by technology firm Simbe Robotics, uses AI, cameras, and computer vision to navigate independently and monitor stock availability, product positioning, and shelf-edge pricing.
How Tally Works
Tally is currently being piloted in one undisclosed Tesco store as part of an "extremely small trial" to test how automated stock monitoring can support colleagues. The robot can move around obstacles and automatically returns to its charging station, minimising disruption to shoppers. It performs several store scans per day, sending data back to store teams so they can quickly replenish or correct products. According to Simbe Robotics, Tally can detect up to 10 times more out-of-stock products than manual shelf audits, and its technology has identified over 607 million instances of unavailable products globally.
Mixed Reactions from Shoppers
The trial has sparked mixed reactions online. On Reddit, users compared Tally to the Terminator or the Daleks from Doctor Who. One user joked, "Shoplifter. Exterminate!" while another said, "Looks like the new Daleks have lost a little weight." However, some found it appealing, with one commenting, "This is cute ngl." Others expressed concerns about job losses, with a former Tesco employee noting, "I worked at Tesco over 10 years ago and my job was stock control. So this literally is doing the job I once did."
Broader Retail Context
Tesco has not confirmed plans to expand the trial, but a spokesperson told the Daily Record that the company is "looking forward to hearing from the trial." Tally is not new to UK supermarkets; Morrisons piloted the technology last year in select stores across England, though the outcome remains unclear. The use of AI in supermarkets is growing, with Morrisons and Waitrose also trialling 'smart' trolleys that track spending in real time using barcode scanning, interactive screens, built-in scales, and AI-powered sensors.
