We really are in a futuristic age. From electric cars to a real-life “kitchen of tomorrow,” it’s hard to not take our technology for granted. It’s incredible what science has given us as a society, and the best part is…there’s more to come!

It may seem straight off the page of a science fiction book, but there’s a new friend you might be see in your grocery store. It seems robots have started popping up in certain grocery stores, and shoppers can’t help but wonder, “What’s that robot doing?”

His Name Is Marty, and He’s Looking for Hazards

This particular model of autonomous robot is referred to as “Marty” and was created by Badger Technologies for Giant/Martin’s and Stop & Shop locations on the East Coast. There are nearly 500 robots in grocery stores right now, and they’re pretty astonishing.

The addition of new technology raises consumer questions about roles and security for existing workers. Since the deployment of Marty, Stop & Shop has said that the robotic fleet is meant to work alongside workers instead of replace them — a point that Mitchell reiterated: “He’s not there to take anyone’s jobs.”

These robots are equipped with cameras, sensors, a navigation system, and software that helps detect potential hazards. When robots circle the store, they’re looking for spills, misplaced items, obstacles, and potentially harmful debris (kind of like a robot vacuum). Not only that, but they’re also scanning price tags and checking to see which items need restocking. As these helpful robots gain popularity, we might just be seeing them all over the country!