Tokyo has introduced its first fully automated convenience store, where robots handle everything from stocking shelves to managing checkouts. Developed by Japanese tech giant SoftBank, the store is part of a government-supported smart city pilot.
Customers scan QR codes to enter, pick items, and pay through facial recognition or mobile apps. Robots clean floors, restock items, and even serve warm meals from vending pods.
Retail experts in India, South Korea, and the UAE are monitoring the experiment as automation gains popularity post-pandemic. Discussions are underway about using such systems in high-traffic urban zones, especially where labor shortages are growing.
