Robotics in Retail
A gap remains between the hype and real-world implementation of delivery automation. Over the past three years, the experiences of consumers and the demands on retail workers have undergone massive shifts to adapt to a global pandemic and subsequent labor shortages. The world of robotics has long been developing for such a moment, promising to alleviate service gaps by removing dependency on human contact. But automation has not brought unified expectations or experiences for consumers. In this presentation, Casey Spaargaren will put the discussion in perspective, reviewing the field’s capabilities and potential to meet consumer demand while acknowledging limitations and risks.