The Robomart self-propelled grocery store, it's like Amazon Go on Wheels

Grocery delivery without a driver seems pretty cool, but what about letting some of the store roll outside your house so you can grab everything you need without ordering in advance?

This is the idea of ​​Robomart's self-service grocery store. That's right, a grocery store on wheels. The California company has partnered with the Stop & Shop grocery chain for a test service in Boston, Mbadachusetts in the spring.

It works like this: You summon the mobile grocery store with the help of an app. When he comes to your door, simply type a code on the vehicle to unlock his doors. Finally, enter what you like from the selection of everyday items and meal kits and you're ready.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and the smarts computer vision system automatically record your selections, enabling a no-purchase experience. Yes, in this sense, it's a bit like an Amazon Go store … on wheels.

The cost of your store is automatically charged to your connected account and a digital receipt is sent to your smartphone in seconds.

"It's a means by which we use new technologies to make shopping easier for our customers, essentially by bringing them to the store," Stop & Shop President Mark McGowan said in a statement.

McGowan also notes that some buyers prefer to make their own choices about fresh fruits and vegetables, rather than having someone else choose them, as in the case of delivery platforms. Ordinary groceries.

Robomart's autonomous vehicles are battery-powered and remotely controlled from a Robomart installation. Vehicles will be stocked with new Stop & Shop items throughout the day to ensure that customers do not receive empty shelves upon arrival at the store. At this point, the number of Robomart vehicles that will be on the streets when it comes into service in the next two months is unclear.

Admittedly, the choice of items will be very limited compared to a clbadic grocery delivery configuration in which you order online, but Robomart's unmanned mobile store might appeal to people uncomfortable with them. Online shopping because customers only have to press a request button. the app to call the vehicle at their home.

Robomart's mobile stand-alone store is in its infancy, but the trial with Stop & Shop will allow the team to see how the concept will behave against competitors using driverless vehicles for regular race deliveries, although two services can naturally complement each other.