Kmart confirms new robot workers after video captures ‘Tory’ in action

A bizarre video has captured Kmart’s plans for a new robot workforce expected to literally roll out in stores later this year.

Kmart has confirmed it is due to introduce an army of robot workers after a video surfaced of an early model being introduced to customers.

A short clip uploaded to TikTok showed a tall and mostly pink robot named Tory rolling through the aisles of the company’s store in Burwood, Sydney.

On the robot was a sign that read, “Hi! I’m Tory!”

“Don’t mind me, I’m just counting stock on our shelves.

“No need to move out of my way ... I’ll go around you!”

The “self-navigating robots” are used to track stock levels and are most active in stores overnight, Kmart chief customer officer Lil Velis confirmed.

@riakia82

#fyp#kmart#technology

♬ Universal Fanfare - The Minions

Video of the robot racked up close to a hundred thousand views online. Image: TikTok/riakia82

“We know that a key customer pain point is product availability,” Ms Velis told Channel 7.

“Tory is Kmart’s self-navigating robot that counts our inventory through RFID (radio frequency identification) technology in-store overnight, on a daily basis.

“When we have an accurate view of stock we can help more customers get the products they want, when they want it, whatever channel they are shopping with us.

Ms Velis said more of the robots would be introduced to stores over the coming months.

“We are currently in the initial rollout phase and will have Tory in the majority of our stores by Christmas this year,” she said.