Zippedi and SMU Ink Deal to Deploy Robots in Unimarc Supermarkets

• Zippedi introduces AI-powered autonomous robots to enhance logistics and price verification in retail settings.
• The robots will initially be deployed in six Unimarc supermarkets across Chile from Antofagasta to Coyhaique.
• Founder and CEO Luis Vera discusses the strategic use of robotic technology in compact supermarket spaces and its potential market impact.

Chilean startup Zippedi has partnered with supermarket chain SMU to bring its robotic technology to Unimarc stores, enhancing the shopping experience with AI-driven logistics support. This initiative, set to start in 2024, represents a significant step in Zippedi’s broader strategy of expanding its technology applications beyond home improvement stores to supermarkets, according to CEO Luis Vera. The deployment will cover stores from Antofagasta to Coyhaique, targeting efficient product replenishment and accurate pricing.

The robots, designed to navigate the smaller floor spaces typical of supermarkets, necessitated the development of a specialized platform. This platform facilitates interactions with suppliers, enabling data exchange and task generation, thus optimizing store operations. Vera highlighted the initial phase of this collaboration, focusing on a six-store roll-out, as a potential precursor to wider adoption within the supermarket sector.

Further illustrating Zippedi’s global reach, 2023 marked the company’s entry into the Japanese market, following successful expansions in the United States, Colombia, Germany, and Australia. The recent agreement with Japan’s leading home improvement chain signifies Zippedi’s growing international footprint and innovation export capability. Vera also shared insights into potential joint ventures in Japan aimed at local robot manufacturing, reflecting both the country’s economic strength and demographic trends favoring automation.

For more detailed insights, visit the original article by Renato Olmos on Diario Financiero’s website here.