Denmark tests humanoid robots in supermarkets to help to ease staff workload at night

In a Føtex supermarket located near Copenhagen, Denmark is testing humanoid robots from Danish start-up Hive Robots, built by China's Unitree, to alleviate staff workload during nighttime hours. These robots have been learning their trade since June, with human operators guiding their every movement to help the artificial intelligence adapt to handling various products.

The ultimate goal is to have the robots restocking shelves independently by early 2027, with the machines primarily working during night shifts when the supermarket is closed.

This experiment is part of a larger trial involving Salling Group, Denmark's largest retailer, which operates over 2,000 stores across six European countries. According to Føtex, employees currently spend between 40 and 50 percent of their time replenishing shelves. By delegating this repetitive and physically demanding task to robots, the retailer hopes to free up workers to focus more on assisting customers.

Looking ahead, the robots may also be able to check expiry dates, identify empty shelves, and spot misplaced goods. However, they currently operate at a slower pace than humans and require constant supervision. Additionally, Danish law would need to be amended before the robots could function autonomously among shoppers. For now, the primary focus remains on nighttime tasks and activities that take place outside of customer presence.