Lowes unveils bilingual robot assistant. Thoughts?

[RegGuheert]

Lowe's Unveils LoweBot, The Bilingual Robot That Is Eager To Please

 

 

There’s a new employee rolling around several Bay Area stores — the bilingual robots — asking if you need help at Lowe’s.

 

“I’m Lowe’s Robot helper,†the Lowe’s robot says. “I can tell you where things are in the store.â€

 

What are your thoughts on this innovation?

 

ETA: Here is Lowe's marketing video for LoweBot:

 

Edited November 22, 2016 by RegGuheert

[bettyandbob]

I think that will be good for a lot of simple questions--"where are still bits?" "Aisle 16". Often I know exactly what I need, but not where to find it. Often it's hard to find roving floor staff or when I do such staff are involved with other customers for a long time.

[Guest]

I am not bothered, so long as there are still employees (humans) who can answer a more complex question. I doubt a robot could advise me whether a five or four blade ceiling fan looks more currently in style or whether the wallpaper scorer is really necessary for removing old paper. But I would happily ask a robot whether they carry a certain product and where it can be found.

 

I'm rather shy as a shopper. I generally prefer to be able to find what I need without chatting up employees or other patrons. I know this is a big difference in personality from extroverts who love to interact with other people. I think introverted shoppers are more likely to like automation.

[momacacia]

At hardware stores, I'd definitely rather deal with a robot than what I usually deal with there. ðŸ˜

Edited November 22, 2016 by momacacia

[Amira]

I think it's a great idea, especially since it's bilingual.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I love the idea.  I go to Lowe's often, and I have the hardest time finding stuff.  And an equally hard time finding an employee to help me find stuff!  So anything to make that easier is a good idea.

 

 

[RegGuheert]

Often I know exactly what I need, but not where to find it. Often it's hard to find roving floor staff or when I do such staff are involved with other customers for a long time.

 

We dealt with exactly this issue last Friday.  I wanted to purchase an AFCI outlet, but we had difficulty finding it and I had questions about the application.  The lady in that department ignored us while she assisted an elderly gentleman.  That's fine, but after 15 minutes, it seemed clear that he was lonely and simply wanted to have someone to talk to.

 

We knew what aisle to look in and even roughly where it would be found, but we could not find it.  We also wanted to know about what alternatives were available, if any.  I seriously doubt that a robot could have helped with either finding the unit or with the question.  But hopefully they are programmed to avoid becoming a companion to lonely customers so that they are available to help others.

 

I am not bothered, so long as there are still employees (humans) who can answer a more complex question. I doubt a robot could advise me whether a five or four blade ceiling fan looks more currently in style or whether the wallpaper scorer is really necessary for removing old paper. But I would happily ask a robot whether they carry a certain product and where it can be found.

 

Yes, I'm somewhat agnostic about who is helping.  But the aisles are pretty clearly labeled.  If I am going to go to the trouble to track someone down, it is usually for something further.

 

I'm rather shy as a shopper. I generally prefer to be able to find what I need without chatting up employees or other patrons. I know this is a big difference in personality from extroverts who love to interact with other people. I think introverted shoppers are more likely to like automation.

 

I agree.  This might appeal to a lot of people.

 

At hardware stores, I'd definitely rather deal with a robot than what I usually deal with there. ðŸ˜

 

I'm sorry to hear that!  My experience with both Lowe's and Home Depot around here is that the employees have often been helpful and frequently are quite knowledgeable.  Is it sexism that you deal with in hardware stores? Or something else?

 

Hopefully Lowe's doesn't get their robots from this company: Robot Goes Rogue at Shenzhen Fair, Injures Bystander

Edited November 22, 2016 by RegGuheert

[SparklyUnicorn]

I think the customer service at my local Home Depot is better than at my local Lowe's.  At Home Depot it seems they have a dedicated person working in many departments while at Lowes you have to find someone wandering around or go to the customer service desk to ask.  I had one guy at Home Depot in the plumbing department spend on geesh half an hour explaining to me in great detail how to change out the plumbing for my kitchen sink.  I went home and did what he said and it worked!  I only bought a few parts so that felt like a pretty awesome deal to me.  At Lowe's they know where stuff is, but nobody seems to know much beyond that. 

 

 

[Guest]

I think it is inevitable, but dumb.

 

I think, as a species, we'd be wise to reign some things in even if we don't HAVE to, and I think we are collectively very bad at allocating resources.

[RegGuheert]

I think it's a great idea, especially since it's bilingual.

 

I agree that the bilingual aspect is pretty interesting.

 

In fact, there could be lots of interesting information provided by the robot that would be beyond the capability of many humans.  For instance, they could do things like provide you with documentation or training materials you requested for a product by transferring it to you through Bluetooth or some such to an app on your phone/tablet, etc.

[Lady Florida.]

If it's more available than human Lowe's employees I'm all for it. It's next to impossible to get help in our local Lowe's stores. When I did secret shopping I got to the point where I turned down Lowe's jobs. You were supposed to find an employee a few aisles away from the product you were asking about, and I would spend too much time looking for someone to ask.

Edited November 22, 2016 by Lady Florida.

[MEmama]

I would never utilize it. Give me a human any day.

 

And if it "spoke" to me, I would leave the store.

Edited November 22, 2016 by MEmama

[RegGuheert]

I thought this statement from the article was funny:

 

 

It then takes you there — for a moment it was stumped by a busy aisle.

I'm not overly introverted, but I avoid crowded aisles like the plague.  Now imagine a robot who must not offend customers trying to get down an aisle on Black Friday! :laugh:

[JustEm]

I would prefer a knowledgeable employee of the specific department but to just ask where something is I'm good with a robot. Though I think having computer kiosks around that you can use to search for things might be less expensive and more convenient.

 

It used to be impossible to find an employee in the Lowes stores around us. But within the last 2 years their service has changed a lot. They are fantastic now

[Guest]

We dealt with exactly this issue last Friday. I wanted to purchase an AFCI outlet, but we had difficulty finding it and I had questions about the application. The lady in that department ignored us while she assisted an elderly gentleman. That's fine, but after 15 minutes, it seemed clear that he was lonely and simply wanted to have someone to talk to.

 

We knew what aisle to look in and even roughly where it would be found, but we could not find it. We also wanted to know about what alternatives were available, if any. I seriously doubt that a robot could have helped with either finding the unit or with the question. But hopefully they are programmed to avoid becoming a companion to lonely customers so that they are available to help others.

 

 

Yes, I'm somewhat agnostic about who is helping. But the aisles are pretty clearly labeled. If I am going to go to the trouble to track someone down, it is usually for something further.

 

 

I agree. This might appeal to a lot of people.

 

 

I'm sorry to hear that! My experience with both Lowe's and Home Depot around here is that the employees have often been helpful and frequently are quite knowledgeable. Is it sexism that you deal with in hardware stores? Or something else?

 

Hopefully Lowe's doesn't get their robots from this company: Robot Goes Rogue at Shenzhen Fair, Injures Bystander

There are two Lowes here and I have had nothing but bad experiences with them. I have asked where something is and gotten told "I think aisle __". When I was in retail, I would walk them to where it was...not just think it without being sure. One time I wanted a certain thing and instead of finding someone who knew what I was talking about, the associate told me "I don't know what it is you are looking for". I just go to Menards now. Friendly associates and cheaper prices.

[Jane in NC]

I have a great locally owned hardware store which is my preferred option but every once in a while I wander into Lowes or Home Depot.  Because I live in an area that is popular with retirees, there is never a shortage of helpful employees who greet me at the door and literally walk me to whatever it is I need.  If I am shopping for three things, I am escorted aisle to aisle.  I don't know if this happens to my husband but I'll take the personal service.

 

Not sure if the robot is needed except for the bilingual function.  That is pretty cool.

Edited November 22, 2016 by Jane in NC

[EKS]

I'd rather drink drain cleaner than go to Lowe's.  

[RegGuheert]

I'd rather drink drain cleaner than go to Lowe's.  

 

But where would you get it and how would you find it without a robot assistant? :001_tt2:

[Arcadia]

We'll probably drop by Lowes on the way home this evening just to visit the robot. There are plenty of Spanish speaking staff at Lowes and Home Depot. They need to load more language modules onto the robot just like our bank ATMs :)

[momacacia]

I'm sorry to hear that! My experience with both Lowe's and Home Depot around here is that the employees have often been helpful and frequently are quite knowledgeable. Is it sexism that you deal with in hardware stores? Or something else?

I have found some of the employees helpful, but on at least 2 occasions recently I've definitely run into the sexism thing. One, an employee gave me an eye roll while chatting with another man/customer (which I guess he could have given to a male, but not the sense I got), and then a checker who was not occupied I approached and from about 15 feet away saw me coming and said, "Oh, I see another Pintrest project coming!" Had I wanted to bother with it, I'd have told him it was my husband's Pinterest project for which I was purchasing, but it really wasn't worth my time as I had littles with me. Next time I'll be ready and have a nice chat with management. ;)

 

So, yeah, I'd rather talk with a robot. I'm glad you've had good experiences, though.

[mommymonster]

I was in a training earlier this month that indicated this is the tip of the iceberg. Many stores and fast food joints are poised to replace humans with robots because of reduced costs. It was very sobering and I ended up rather worried about what we as a society would do wth all the displaced workers. Ugh.

[Arcadia]

Many stores and fast food joints are poised to replace humans with robots because of reduced costs. It was very sobering and I ended up rather worried about what we as a society would do wth all the displaced workers.

When we were in a Toronto downtown mall, the McDonald's has three self pay order kiosks and two cashiers. McDonald's lines are always long in downtown malls so having the the order kiosk clear the lines much faster as there is no chance of wrong orders being heard. The bottleneck then becomes the food prep.

 

Below link is the McDonald's order kiosk which we used and is rolling out in US http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-mcdonalds-restaurant-future-1118-biz-20161117-story.html

[gardenmom5]

the question  would be how good is the interface for the robot.  I would expect it would be easier to find one than a human . . . . .

[RegGuheert]

Here is Lowe's marketing video for LoweBot (I will also add this to the OP):

 

[Lady Florida.]

Here is Lowe's marketing video for LoweBot (I will also add this to the OP):

 

 

 

That's kind of a boring commercial even though it gets the point across. It could have been a fun ad. People remember the unique/fun ads so much more than dull ones.

[gardenmom5]

That's kind of a boring commercial even though it gets the point across. It could have been a fun ad. People remember the unique/fun ads so much more than dull ones.

 

they can remember the product fondly - even if it's something they wont' buy.  I have fond memories of "joe izuzu."   and some local commercials.  years later.

[redsquirrel]

well, seeing as when I am in Lowe's I can't ever find a person to help me, I'm fine with it.  But, given my experience with big box stores I expect the robot not to work.

I expect it to either break quickly and not work or it will never be updated and will only have out of date information.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

When I go to the hardware store, it's usually with a sketch of some gizmo I think I remember seeing in my dads garage when I was 12. Can the robot handle that? 😆

[RegGuheert]

When I go to the hardware store, it's usually with a sketch of some gizmo I think I remember seeing in my dads garage when I was 12. Can the robot handle that? 😆

 

Yeah, I typically do not even have a sketch.  It is often something like "I'm trying to connect a whatzit to a thingamabob.  I was wondering if a doohickey would work, or can you recommend something better?"

 

[iamonlyone]

I would rather ask a human, but sometimes it's hard to find someone on the floor. I voted "other" because I could see this being useful if a greater number of people could be helped. In that way, it would be kind of like the price scanners some stores have on the floor that you can use to find a price quickly when you don't see an employee to ask.

[FaithManor]

The Lowes we have had the misfortune to use a few times is criminally negligent in training the very limited number of employees they have.

So a robot would be a HUGE improvement.

 

But I'd be super sad if this happened at the Home Depot. We get great customer service - which means we avoid Lowes like the plague as much as possible - and to replace any one of those paid jobs with a robot would also be criminal.

 

I'm not opinionated or anything though!  :D

[bibiche]

When we were in a Toronto downtown mall, the McDonald's has three self pay order kiosks and two cashiers. McDonald's lines are always long in downtown malls so having the the order kiosk clear the lines much faster as there is no chance of wrong orders being heard. The bottleneck then becomes the food prep.

 

Below link is the McDonald's order kiosk which we used and is rolling out in US http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-mcdonalds-restaurant-future-1118-biz-20161117-story.html

That's weird that they don't have the kiosques in the US yet (never go in the US, so wasn't aware). They've had them in McDo's in Latin America for awhile. They do often try things out down there first (they had McCafés long before they introduced them in the US, for example). Guess that means one day you'll be able to get fried chicken in McDonald's here too. :)

 

I try to avoid big hardware stores, but I can't imagine a robot would be any less helpful than most of the employees there. I wonder if they will be easier to track down...

[foxbridgeacademy]

I don't like the fact that we replace so many people with robots, but I shouldn't complain a big part of DH's job is troubleshooting and re-programs 36 robots. 

 

As for the Lowebot... we might use it as a novelty but simple questions of where things are located are quick to find on our phones anything more difficult is usually very specific and would need a person to answer (I can't count the times I've stumped a Lowe's employee ).

[Spy Car]

Bill (Spy Car) didn't have the time opportunity to respond to this thread himself, but as his personal digital assistant, I think it's a cracklingly good idea.

 

Sir E

[maize]

Bill (Spy Car) didn't have the time opportunity to respond to this thread himself, but as his personal digital assistant, I think it's a cracklingly good idea.

 

Sir E

The question, Sir E, is whether you have taken a job away from a human in need of employment?

 

Also, can your cousin over at Lowes accurately direct me to the precise plumbing fixture I am in need of when I don't have a clear idea myself just what sort of pipe or attachment I should be looking for?

[Spy Car]

The question, Sir E, is whether you have taken a job away from a human in need of employment?

 

Also, can your cousin over at Lowes accurately direct me to the precise plumbing fixture I am in need of when I don't have a clear idea myself just what sort of pipe or attachment I should be looking for?

 

Doubt it sincerely, as Bill is a notorious tight-wad and is unlikely to have hired any humans to assist him.

 

To answer your other question: Rob Lowe is an American actor who has appeared in over 46 feature films, including The Outsiders and St Elmos Fire.

 

Sir E

[maize]

 

 

To answer your other question: Rob Lowe is an American actor who has appeared in over 46 feature films, including The Outsiders and St Elmos Fire.

 

Sir E

A most helpful response :D

[mom2scouts]

My son is employed by a company that makes industrial robots, so I'm in favor of them. However, he does joke that robots are out to kill us,as the link by RegGuheert shows, so I guess we should be careful.

[Pam in CT]

I have mixed feelings.  

 

OTOH I expect there are some things a robot could (eventually) do BETTER than many IRL employees (i.e. multilingual capabilities, run the question through inventory / supply chain to see if / when a part could be ordered if it's not on the floor) and some IRL problems a robot could (presumably) avoid (i.e. sexist treatment mentioned upthread).

 

OTOH the phenomenon does underscore that automation is as important a part of the US job loss / inequality problems as overseas factories.

[Tree Frog]

When we were in a Toronto downtown mall, the McDonald's has three self pay order kiosks and two cashiers. McDonald's lines are always long in downtown malls so having the the order kiosk clear the lines much faster as there is no chance of wrong orders being heard. The bottleneck then becomes the food prep.

 

Below link is the McDonald's order kiosk which we used and is rolling out in US http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-mcdonalds-restaurant-future-1118-biz-20161117-story.html

 

Our Panera Bread has these. You can order at the kiosk, which seemed to take less time, or order at the register.

[Bluegoat]

So, while the introvert in my finds talking to real people stressful at times, I also think replacing people with machines is generally not great, and it is actually important to have human interaction.

 

I also think a well-trined clerk will be much more effective than a robot.

 

I do think a machine to give directions in a place like a mall is a good idea - you don't need a person for that and the ability to show a map is actually really helpful for many people.