| Since all Wal-Mart stores are set up like a giant | | | | Development and they are an obvious user with a |
| warehouse it makes sense that soon there will be | | | | much-needed application for such robotic systems. |
| robotic Wal-Mart stockers loading shelves. Don't worry | | | | What will these robots look like anyway? Well they |
| your young children are safe inside the cage of the | | | | may at first resemble a Star Wars R2D2 although |
| steel or plastic webbing shopping cart. And even if not | | | | eventually look more humanoid like a C3PO Advanced |
| the robotic shelf loader will indeed sense human | | | | model. Will this mean less jobs for people? Well there |
| presence by way of infrared and body heat, motion | | | | are plenty of jobs in many places and Wal-Mart has |
| detectors and optical flow sensors. | | | | trouble in larger cities trying to staff some locations. |
| Why is Wal-Mart going to be the first to use robotic | | | | With unemployment at under 5% and if it gets any |
| shelf stockers? Well with unemployment so low in | | | | less, they will have no choice but to further integrate |
| many parts of the country it makes sense. Also | | | | the future robotic stockers in a store near you. |
| Wal-Mart has the case to fund the Research and | | | | Consider this in 2006. |