Ahold Delhaize tests mobile mini-supermarkets

Driverless ‘supermarket cars’ will start bringing groceries at home for American Ahold Delhaize subsidiary Stop & Shop. The proximity chain will be sending out mini-supermarkets on wheels around Boston.

Picking fresh food

“This is one way in which we’re leveraging new technology to make shopping easier for our customers — by essentially bringing the store to them,” explained Mark McGowan, Stop & Shop President. “We also recognize that many of our customers want the opportunity to make their own choices when it comes to fresh produce, and we’re proud to be the first retailer to engage with Robomart to address our customers’ needs with their cutting-edge solution.”

Those customers can ask for a Robomart vehicle using a smartphone app. Upon the vehicle’s arrival, customers can unlock the doors and personally select the fruit, vegetables and other products they want to buy.

As easy as having the milkman come over

Once they are done shopping, they simply close the doors and send the vehicle on its way. The robot’s RFID and computer vision tech automatically registers what customers select. The bill is sent by e-mail a few seconds later. “For decades, consumers had the convenience of their local greengrocer and milkman coming door to door, and we believe that by leveraging driverless technology we can recreate that level of convenience and accessibility,” said Robomart founder and CEO Ali Ahmed.

All Robomart vehicles are autonomous, electric and controlled from a distance. During their routes, the vehicles are resupplied with fresh Stop & Shop produce. McGowan also believes the innovation will allow the chain to keep growing without adding physical stores.