Next Big Thing: The LoweBot

First came the successful robotics test of the OSHbot at an Orchard Supply location. Now comes phase two: the LoweBot.

This fall, the retail service robot is coming to Lowe's, beginning in September in San Jose, California, and rolling out in phases to 10 other Bay Area stores over the next seven months.

The LoweBot is a NAVii autonomous retail service robot by Fellow Robots and will serve as an important next step in the exploration of robots at a retail service level.

"For nearly two years, we've studied how robots in our San Jose Orchard Supply Hardware store can help customers more effectively navigate the store to find products and assist employees with inventory scanning," said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe's Innovation Labs, the company's disruptive innovation hub. "Now, we are taking those learnings and applying them to a focused group of Lowe's stores to see how the technology supports a broader customer and employee base."

The LoweBot will hardly replace Lowe's employees, but it will be there to answer simple questions so that employees can focus on offering project expertise and personalized service.

The robot will be capable of scanning inventory and capturing real-time data to help Lowe's hone its strategy.

"We designed the NAVii robot to make the shopping experience easier for consumers – simplifying the process of finding the product you're looking for – while also managing the back-end and keeping shelf inventory up-to-date for the retailer," said Marco Mascorro, CEO of Fellow Robots. "Leaving the data and simple recommendations to NAVii allows Lowe's employees to devote their attention to the Lowe's customer, to provide them with thoughtful advice and personalized service."