TLDR: Seven-Eleven Japan and Telexistence Inc. have partnered to develop and deploy generative AI-powered humanoid robots, including ‘Astra’ models, into Seven-Eleven stores by 2029. This initiative aims to combat labor shortages and enhance customer experience through automated tasks like shelf-stocking and cleaning. Concurrently, Seven-Eleven Japan is extensively integrating generative AI into its business operations for product planning, data analysis, and advertising, significantly reducing development cycles and operational overhead.
Seven-Eleven Japan, a leading convenience store chain, has announced a strategic partnership with Telexistence Inc., a robotics innovator, to jointly develop and deploy advanced humanoid robots. This collaboration is set to introduce ‘Astra’ robots into Seven-Eleven stores by 2029, addressing critical labor shortages and elevating the overall customer experience.
Telexistence is already making strides in automating retail tasks. Their proprietary ‘TX Ghost’ robots are currently undergoing pilot operations in select 7-Eleven stores in Tokyo, focusing on the arduous task of beverage shelf-stocking in chilled backroom environments. This automation is designed to free up human employees from heavy labor, allowing them to concentrate on higher-value activities such as managing sales floors and promoting new offerings. Jin Tomioka, CEO of Telexistence Inc., emphasized their mission: ‘Our mission is simple yet bold: Change robots, change structures, change the world. TX Ghost represents a new era of robotics in retail—one where automation doesn’t just reduce burdens, but empowers stores to serve customers better and thrive in a rapidly changing market.’
Beyond shelf-stocking, Seven-Eleven Japan is exploring broader robot integration. A recent demonstration showcased robots and machines handling tasks like window and floor cleaning, and general drink restocking. This integration is projected to reduce an employee’s daily work time by approximately 30%. The company is also utilizing virtual avatars for customer service, with human employees providing remote assistance when necessary.
In parallel with the humanoid robot initiative, Seven-Eleven Japan is aggressively adopting generative artificial intelligence across its business operations. Starting from spring 2024, the company began using AI for more efficient product planning, a novel approach in the retail sector. This AI system, built on a cloud-based infrastructure, integrates generative AI models from industry leaders such as OpenAI, Google, and Stability AI. It processes vast amounts of data, including customer sales figures, product manufacturer information, and social media trends, to identify consumer preferences and generate new product proposals, as well as advertising creatives.
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This extensive AI deployment has already yielded significant efficiencies. Internal meetings have seen a reduction of about 80%, and the time required for product planning is expected to decrease by up to 90%, from as much as 10 months to just one. This allows Seven-Eleven to launch new products, particularly under its ‘Seven Premium’ private brand, more rapidly and in closer alignment with emerging consumer trends. Approximately 9,000 Seven-Eleven employees, including 1,000 managerial staff, have been trained and are actively using the new AI system, with further expansion planned for those involved in product development and marketing.
