Lowes testing customer service robots

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

In partnership with Lowe’s Innovation Labs, Fellow Robots and Singularity University, Orchard is the first retailer to explore how Autonomous Retail Service Robot (ARSR) technology can improve and enhance in-store service and training. Our San Jose Midtown store will be the home to OSHbot, an associate and customer assistance device designed with a number of ground-breaking features that help customers navigate

widgeon13 · 10-29-2014, 02:40 AM

But what about the lost jobs?

HardDrive · 10-29-2014, 04:44 AM

Hi there OSHbot, can you introduce me to that smokin' hot Indian chick you just helped?

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

The first thing they need to do is fire the production team on that commercial. Whoever was in charge of the color is horrible. What is with the crappy blue shadows? My iPhone would make a better video than that.

I am ready to try a robot if I can find one easier than a human. It would likely be more helpful than many of the employees I have been lucky enough to get as a helper.

It has to be a challenge to train and retain a good knowledgeable employee. I went to one of the big box stores looking for a 1/2 inch cast iron street elbow. It took three employees before I could find one that even knew what that was.

widgeon13 · 10-29-2014, 05:28 AM

Here's the problem, it's the hair. Geek hair.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

That's not geek hair; that's hipster hair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Here's the problem, it's the hair. Geek hair.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgeon13

But what about the lost jobs?

No lost jobs, cost of healthcare and/or mandated spikes in wages looming on the horizon is going to cause a lot of jobs to dissapear with or without robot replacements, and those with the tech in place ahead of time will come out ahead. I personally - make a choice to try to deal with people, exception being my Porsche parts where ordering online is convenient for me.

widgeon13 · 10-29-2014, 07:04 AM

Agreed. I probably should have put that in green or at least a smiley wave after it.

It's Lowes an HD, they're closing down a lot of mom and pops anyway.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Maybe it can teach people to speak English......

afterburn 549 · 10-29-2014, 07:56 AM

Wait till they raise the min wage -
There will be NO work for those people !
Sorry, i told you so.
I will also say McDonalds will install a kiosk system .
"Your cheezburger and coke sir. "
No one's fingers will have touched it after unloaded from the trk.
Your tray or bag will have been fully robotized and automated from beginning to end. I guarantee it in short order.
short order ha ha .....

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Wait till they raise the min wage -
There will be NO work for those people !
Sorry, i told you so.
I will also say McDonalds will install a kiosk system .
"Your cheezburger and coke sir. "
No one's fingers will have touched it after unloaded from the trk.
Your tray or bag will have been fully robotized and automated from beginning to end. I guarantee it in short order.
short order ha ha .....

At least the robot will call you an asshat in a language you can understand.

afterburn 549 · 10-29-2014, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

At least the robot will call you an asshat in a language you can understand.

LOL
Is both the things in the video robots?
I could not focus on the machine.
The one that is a skinny, following the white thing around -if she is the robot i want one!

vash · vash's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Hi there OSHbot, can you introduce me to that smokin' hot Indian chick you just helped?

you Jerk!! you made me watch the video..hahah.. (thanks btw)

now can we clean up the thread title? its OSH not Lowes - the big box store, that is doing this. i got excited hoping this will finally make Lowes crush Home Depot.

home depot has been using mindless robots for years. they just spent the money in making them look human-like, not on actual customer service.

berettafan · 10-29-2014, 08:46 AM

I do find Lowes to be the better stocked store.

afterburn 549 · 10-29-2014, 08:52 AM

I like how they are orchestrated better too .Plus they give a discount to the military people.

scottmandue · 10-29-2014, 09:20 AM

If it injures you will it also run away and hide like a home depot employee?

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Wait till they raise the min wage -
There will be NO work for those people !
Sorry, i told you so.
I will also say McDonalds will install a kiosk system .
"Your cheezburger and coke sir. "
No one's fingers will have touched it after unloaded from the trk.
Your tray or bag will have been fully robotized and automated from beginning to end. I guarantee it in short order.
short order ha ha .....

This was predicted in the "prequel" Stainless Steel Rat books. Slippery Jim used to hide out in a fully automated fast food place.

911SauCy · 911SauCy's Garage

Default: Elon Musk quote on AI and demons...

Cool technology, but I'm with E.M.

masraum · 10-29-2014, 02:02 PM

McDonald's Self-Checkout - Romeoville Innovation Center Automated Cashier

GWN7 · 10-29-2014, 02:29 PM

Why not do away with the robots altogether? Just have the customers order from a kiosk and a automatic picking system delivers the items to the customer. Would save on heating and cooling costs for the building. Smaller buildings as the system wouldn't need large isles for customers to move around in. Wait ...the customers could order from home and the items would be delivered. We could call it Amazon.........