Tesco F&F stores deploy label-reading robots to help inventory inventory
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Global retailer Tesco store is piloting 5 retail stores in the UK based onRFIDThe indoor surveying and analysis robot system for tracking F&F brand clothing to improve efficiency and inventory visibility. The analysis robot will be equipped with an RFID reader to roam the clothing store, and read the UHF EPC Gen2 RFID tags on the clothing for inventory counting. The robot system and service are provided by RFspot and are currently used by 6 companies worldwide.
Danielle Dawson, F&F’s RFID project manager, said that more than a year ago, F&F began looking for an automated system to determine the location of goods. At present, F&F has Android RFID tags on all products in 525 stores in the UK.
F&F President Richard Collins said: “I am very excited to work with RFspot. The system will help improve the in-store consumer experience and explore the use of RFID technology in other places in the store.”
In the past, Tesco store staff could use fixed readers or handheld readers to read these tags. But now, with the RFspot solution, these data can be collected in a more efficient and automated way. RFspot founder and CEO Andrew Gold said that the technology is designed to eliminate manual inventory counting, and it can automatically and reliably read data. He said that the robot has reduced the time it takes to use a handheld reader for inventory counting, from 7 hours to 1 hour.
Each machine is equipped with several vision sensors that can be used to identify the location of the robot in the store. F&F tried several versions of the robot and several reader configurations. Gold said that RFspot uses UHF RFID readers from all major vendors, but he did not disclose the specific model of the robot. RFspot chose the best reader provided by the supplier. At the same time, each robot is also equipped with multiple antenna arrays, so that the robot can read tags from 6 to 12 inches at multiple angles.
In this pilot project of F&F, robots will conduct navigation patrols in 5 stores several times a week, read tags and collect location data. The patrol path is stored in the on-board database of the machine. Since the computer can store the previously and expected location data, the staff can edit more reasonable path information accordingly. In addition, staff can program the robot to pass through high-density areas multiple times.
These data can not only be stored in the robot’s own computer, but also can be transmitted to RFspot’s cloud server through the WiFi network. In this way, F&F can view this information in real time or collect information such as those marked items that are misplaced and which shelves need to be restocked.
Gold said: “We have established a basic platform through which each customer can develop solutions suitable for their working environment.”
After some configuration, RFspot’s basic platform can use optical devices to detect the goods on the shelf, and use these data to manage the planogram. These data can also be compared with sales data. Gold said RFspot is also developing automated tools for robots to open doors and get on and off elevators.
Katherine Isle, project manager of the F&F Operational Reform Department, said: “In this experiment, we explored how the technology can be integrated into business operations. This is also part of our RFID plan. We will use RFID technology to improve efficiency and productivity.”
F&F staff can view the read data through the LCD screen on the robot, or view the operator who remotely operates the robot in semi-automatic mode. Using this mode, the staff can manually control the movement of the robot remotely.
Gold said that the interaction between humans and robots has always been our concern. Therefore, RFspot researched the reaction of staff and consumers to the actions of robots in the store. According to research, the interaction between humans and robots is very positive. Children like to play with robots, and the elderly also like such a robot that can help them.
Using this system, Tesco can reduce inventory and ensure that all products are in their place to increase sales. In addition, Tesco can also free the staff’s hands and let them do more valuable things.
RFspot claims that this technology can reduce labor costs and improve inventory accuracy. In addition, in order to reduce the cost of retailers, RFspot also provides a less sensor version of the robot.
Dawson said that the success of this project was the result of cooperation with RFspot. He said: “The opportunities are limitless. We will continue to develop solutions with RFspot, which will greatly help the retail industry.”
(Exclusive manuscript of rfid world network, please indicate the source author for reprinting!)
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