Shelf-scanning robots pivot to selling store data, Groceryshop 2026 column finds
Retail robotics consultant Georges Mirza wrote in a column for The Robot Report on Oct 9 that Simbe Robotics presented 3,000 Tally shelf-scanning robots worldwide at Groceryshop 2026, with a Tier 1 retailer rollout still adding units, and that Badger Technologies' new CEO John Gehre described the Jabil-backed company as shifting from robots to retail intelligence. Mirza also highlighted ShelfOptix, whose foldable robot travels between small-format stores with a human escort, and startup-pitch finalist Blue Collar Robotics, which is building a mobile robot to move goods between shelves and carts with customer trials planned. The column is a first-hand show report; Simbe's own count was not independently checked. MEKAWIRE's verified records show Simbe has raised $104 million across three rounds, most recently a $50 million Series C in October 2024.
