A Woolworths shopper was left stunned after spotting a robot assisting with trolley collection at a Brisbane supermarket, sparking speculation about the future of human trolley collectors.
A viral video shared on social media shows the machine, nicknamed ‘R2-D2’ by the uploader, guiding a row of trolleys into a bay at Woolworths Richlands in Brisbane’s southwest. The clip, which has been viewed nearly 430,000 times, jokingly suggested that technology was replacing staff, captioning it: “RIP to the trolley boys … Woolies just hired R2-D2.”
However, Woolworths has reassured customers that the robots are not replacing workers but are designed to assist them. A company spokesperson explained that these ‘Green Machines’ have been in use for several years, making it easier for staff to collect trolleys, especially in car parks with slopes or other obstacles. The devices, which are remote-controlled rather than fully autonomous, reduce the physical strain on workers while ensuring trolleys are readily available for customers.
The supermarket giant confirmed that the technology is already in use across multiple locations, with an additional ten machines recently introduced in Brisbane stores.
While the video sparked amusement and curiosity, Woolworths emphasised that the machines are simply a tool to support staff, not a replacement for human workers.
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