Grocery retailer SPAR Austria is testing Simbe Robotics’ inventory robot Tally at a EUROSPAR store in Vienna and an INTERSPAR store in Eisenstadt for a five-month period.
The deployment is part of the retailer’s plan to improve stock management and customer experience.
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The robot’s primary function is to scan shelves for stock levels, aiming to alleviate employee workload and enhance the shopping experience with better product availability.
Standing more than 2m tall, Tally will conduct multiple shelf scans daily. It will identify gaps, compile data and deliver detailed inventory reports to staff via email.
This automation offers continuous, precise inventory control, allowing employees to focus on service and customer interaction without the interruption of manual stock checks.
SPAR CEO Hans Reisch stated: “We are continuously evaluating future-oriented technological solutions that will further reduce the workload of our employees. Automated inventory control and integrated reporting ensure better control of product availability on the shelves of our stores, and our employees have more time for personal customer service – a win-win situation.”
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By GlobalDataThe first four weeks of the deployment are dedicated to acclimating the robot to the store layout. Adjustments will be made, and Tally’s inspection route will be established.
From mid-August 2025, employees will begin receiving regular data reports, with Tally conducting up to three shelf checks daily, avoiding peak customer traffic times.
Tally’s operation is designed for practicality and intelligence. The robot will navigate autonomously, focusing on food sections during the trial.
Equipped with cameras, Tally captures shelf images, automatically discarding any that inadvertently include people. Beyond stock levels, Tally also monitors product placement changes, adjusting its route accordingly.
It is non-interactive with customers and staff and avoids obstacles without disrupting store activities.
The success of the initial data evaluation will determine whether SPAR Austria extends or expands the test phase beyond the initial five months.
Reisch added: “The test of the Tally robot is an example of how smart automation can support employees in their work in the future while simultaneously improving data quality in the store. Such approaches are an important step toward further technological development in the food retail industry.”
