Contactless Grocery Store Nourish and Bloom Market Opens in Fayetteville, Georgia, Using Artificial Intelligence and Delivery Robots | Eater Atlanta

"A 24-hour grocery store and deli counter at the Town Centre at Trilith uses artificial intelligence and delivery robots to create a largely contactless shopping experience; Nourish + Bloom Market lets customers enter, scan QR codes with a smartphone app to shop for produce, meats, baked goods, healthcare products, and prepared meals, then pay without checking out at a register. The market even deploys delivery robots—described as chirpy little R2-D2s programmed with facial recognition software and temperature-controlled bellies—that roam the sidewalks to bring orders to residents. The bistro counter serves sandwiches throughout the day, including a Philly cheese and other sandwiches based on family dinner favorites, and market employees remain on hand to answer questions and make sandwiches. Owners Jamie and Jilea Hemmings partnered with UST Global, Shekel Brainweigh, Hitachi, and Microsoft to build the tech, plan to begin accepting EBT/SNAP later this year, and expect a second location in metro Atlanta next year as part of an eventual expansion to more than 400 stores." - Beth McKibben