Japanese robot to clock in at a convenience store in test of retail automation

Telexistence's shelf-stacking avatar robot, designed to resemble a kangaroo and developed to work in a convenience store, is seen during a photo opportunity ahead of its unveiling in Tokyo, Japan July 3, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO (Reuters) - In August, a robot vaguely resembling a kangaroo will begin stacking sandwiches, drinks and ready meals on shelves at a Japanese convenience store in a test its maker, Telexistence, hopes will help trigger a wave of retail automation.

Following that trial, store operator FamilyMart says it plans to use robot workers at 20 stores around Tokyo by 2022. At first, people will operate them remotely - until the machines' artificial intelligence (AI) can learn to mimic human movements. Rival convenience store chain Lawson is deploying its first robot in September, according to Telexistence.