By 2025, Major Retail Companies Anticipate Forming Robot Management Groups for their Mechanized Workforce, as Foreseen by Gartner
In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics is reshaping the industry. This transformation, according to Gartner, Inc., is a period of unprecedented change, with customer experience becoming the new currency.
The introduction of AI is not limited to the digital realm. An autonomous robotic kitchen assistant has been introduced as an example in the retail industry, learning specific recipes and preparing meals according to the operator's wishes. This innovation is part of a broader trend, as Gartner research indicates that 77% of retailers plan to deploy AI by 2021.
The deployment of robotics, particularly in warehouse picking, is the No. 1 use case for AI in retail. Smart robots are working independently or alongside humans, streamlining the process and improving efficiency. However, this shift towards automation may cause fear and anxiety among part-time workers. It is essential for retail CIOs to work with HR and business leaders to address and manage employees' skills and concerns regarding the new robot resource units.
Retail CIOs are responsible for providing ongoing maintenance and monitoring the performance of these robot resource units for effectiveness. The collaboration between people and robots will require both sides to learn how to work effectively together. A joint effort from HR, IT, and line-of-business hiring managers is necessary to identify the skills required for effective human-robot collaboration.
Gartner, Inc. predicts that by 2025, at least two of the top 10 global retailers will establish robot resource organizations. The Schwarz Group (Lidl and Kaufland) and Aldi are among the major trading companies that will establish robotics resource organizations to manage non-human work until 2025.
The selection of suitable candidates, both human and machine, is crucial for the success of this collaboration. Robots will need to 'mesh' with human teams to operate effectively together. Many retail workers want to use AI as an on-demand or predictive assistant, which means robots will need to work alongside humans.
As the retail industry adapts to changing consumer tastes, retailers are creating governance to ensure effective collaboration between people and robots. If the performance is not monitored, the collaboration between humans and robots may become counterproductive, leading to a bad customer experience.
Kelsie Marian, senior research director at Gartner, emphasises the importance of this collaboration, stating, 'Retailers need to change the mindset of the workforce around the development of robot resource units.' The future of retail lies in the successful integration of human and robotic resources, creating a harmonious work environment where both can thrive.
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