FamilyMart trials AI robot for restocking convenience store drinks

Major Japanese convenience store operator FamilyMart Co. said this week that it has introduced a robot with artificial intelligence that automatically restocks drinks at one of its stores in Tokyo. The AI robot, installed at a store inside the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry building in the Kasumigaseki district of Chiyoda Ward, restocks products by predicting sales based on the time and season. FamilyMart, a subsidiary of major Japanese trader Itochu Corp., aims to reduce the burden on store employees and boost high-value-added work, such as serving customers. The robot was developed by Telexistence Inc., an information technology startup in Tokyo. The device, which comprises an arm, body, rail and other parts, is set between the display shelves and the storage shelves.