<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0ct082_0zbUvsa200" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ct082_0zbUvsa200" width="1280" height="720" ><figcaption>Photos and videos posted on social media show that the robots are equipped with a sign directing interested customers to the Badger Technologies website. @theegrandace.bsky.social‬</figcaption></figure>Social media is blowing up with posts about Kroger’s new inventory robots, Tally and Barney, which travels through the supermarket collecting inventory data, and the comments are giving the Cincinnati-based grocery chain a bit of free advertising. Kroger is testing the new robots at 70 stores in metro Cincinnati and Indianapolis, according to a story in the Cincinnati Enquirer, which described it as a pilot program. A Kroger spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment, but the robots appear to be through partnerships Simbe with Badger Technologies.Photos and videos posted on social media show that the Barney robots are equipped with a sign directing interested customers to the Badger Technologies website.The sign on the robot in one photo posted on X (formerly Twitter) states: “Meet your new Kroger Team Member. ‘Barney’ is here to improve your shopping experience by scanning shelves for missing items and to ensure correct pricing. Barney does not capture images of people or acquire any personal information.”Simbe and Badger have had a high profile in the grocery industry. Badger's autonomous robot technology has been rolled out at stores like Stop &amp; Shop under the name Marty, and Simbe's Tally is deployed chainwide at BJ’s Wholesale Club under the name Tally. The Tally robots have also appeared in stores like Wakefern, Hy-Vee, Schnucks, and Giant Food Stores. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3XzELL_0zbUvsa200" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3XzELL_0zbUvsa200" width="592" height="551" ></figure>The blue, glowing lights on the Barney robot, giving a futuristic feel, sparking the interest of shoppers as they make their way through the aisles. “Is it coming and making sure people are doing what they’re supposed to do?” said one shopper in a video posted on Facebook. “Oh, he’s got a name. His name’s Barney. Hi, Barney.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ZKTsj_0zbUvsa200" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ZKTsj_0zbUvsa200" width="468" height="739" ></figure>Another shopper who posted video on Facebook had some questions about Barney: “What is this? Is he a shelf-scanner? Is he a watcher? Somebody tell me what this is and why it’s important.“How much is he getting paid, because they’re about to make me work for free. Does he work here for free too, because Kroger’s about to have me scan all these groceries, and you know how I feel about it.”* This story was updated to include information about Simbe robots.</div></body>

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Social media is blowing up with posts about Kroger’s new inventory robots, Tally and Barney, which travels through the supermarket collecting inventory data, and the comments are giving the Cincinnati-based grocery chain a bit of free advertising. Kroger is testing the new robots at 70 stores in metro Cincinnati...

Robots rolled out at Cincinnati and Indianapolis Kroger stores

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Social media is blowing up with posts about Kroger’s new inventory robots, Tally and Barney, which travels through the supermarket collecting inventory dat

Robots rolled out at Cincinnati and Indianapolis Kroger stores

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