- Walmart said it's adding almost 4,000 robots to its stores and facilities.
- The investment will allow human workers to shift to other tasks that are harder to automate.
- The push into robotics comes as the company has boosted worker wages.
The robots are coming for Walmart workers' jobs, with the retail giant saying it plans to add almost 4,000 robots to its stores and facilities as it seeks to remove human workers from routine tasks like scrubbing floors.
The company said the plan is part of a goal to shift human workers to customer-service roles, such as "engaging with customers," according to a blog post. The new robots include the "Auto-C," which polishes floors, and the FAST Unloader, which scans and sorts items unloaded from delivery trucks.
The investment in automation comes as the retail giant has pledged to boost worker wages, pledging $2.7 billion over two years to boost pay as well as training and education. Robots, while requiring an initial investment, promise lower labor costs because they don't require benefits, while they can often perform the same job in much less time than a human worker. Walmart said the Auto-C will replace a store worker who typically spent two hours polishing floors with a scrubbing machine.
22 comments:
I call BS on that job shifting. The janitors are not going to "engage with customers". What a load of BS. This is going to continue to put people out of work wherever possible.
That's what happens when you demand $15/hr.
It will create jobs for skilled tech workers programming and repairing the Robots. Until there is a Robot to do that too.
Looks like the only ones going to have jobs are DEMOCRAT POLITICIANS LOL.
As anyone who has ever worked at Walmart. It's a horrible place to work.
That's why I only go there as a last resort. I have friends and relatives who have worked for them and I can tell you it is a very unpleasant place to work.
They treat their workers like crap, and it shows in their poor customer service. They have a high turn around of employees because they are either quitting or getting fired for one reason or another.
It's a shame Sam's heirs can't be replaced by robots as they enjoy life in Belize.
10:12 this happened decades ago in the car industry, it has nothing to do with min wage and everything to do with the fact that robots have no rights and no unions. They can work 24/7 with no vacation.
I have to admit Wal-Mart was a wise investment for me 30 years ago but I would not want to work there. I don't even shop there.
THE RISE OF THE MACHINES ! CALL SKY NET !
April 10, 2019 at 11:07 AM I find this to be a false statement. I recognize the same people there for years. Like all businesses, not everyone is a good fit.
428 - a classic SKYNET response. Keep feeding the machines and they will take over!
Walmart is a family owned business, never been offered to the public
Robots in car plants took over jobs that were dangerous, physically wearing or prone to error. Workers moved to other less arduous tasks. Examples: Carting and lifting heavy door assemblies. Moving materials around the plant. Painting (workers prone to uneven spray patterns due to fatigue).
Keep voting for the Dems. Consequence: Computer screen to order your meal. Pour your own sodas. You are the checkout clerk at big boxes. Stay tuned.
How about cashiers
Prepare for Walmart stock to tumble. The people that shop there, work there. No job, no shop. Additionally, it's much easier to steal from there when the robots are the only ones watching.
10:40 Car manufacturers incorporate robots to do every job they can be possibly be programmed for, not just dangerous and physically demanding tasks. The manufacturers would have robots assembling total vehicles if the the technology was available. Corporations care nothing about the human work force, just the bottom line.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
How about cashiers
April 10, 2019 at 11:18 PM
They have already trained you to check yourself out, you are the robot.
8:51- Walmart went public in 1970. Almost 50 years ago.
I stand corrected
"the plan is part of a goal to shift human workers to customer-service roles, such as 'engaging with customers,'"
Even when they are standing around doing nothing they won't engage with customers.
The one who waited on me today might as well be a robot.She had as much personality as a cinder block.
I thought the cashiers at Walmart were robots now.l
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