Starbucks launches AI-powered inventory management system

　　Global coffee chain brand Starbucks (stock code: SBUX) announced on Wednesday that it will launch a brand new inventory counting system using artificial intelligence technology in more than 11,000 self-operated stores across North America by the end of September.

　　In the operation process of this system, employees will use handheld tablets equipped with dedicated software to scan inventory shelves. The software can automatically count the number of items and flag products that are low in stock.

　　Starbucks Chief Technology Officer Deb Hall Lefevre stated in a press release that this system can speed up product restocking and ensure a more stable supply of in-store items such as cold foam, oat milk, and caramel drizzle. She wrote in the statement: "Customers can enjoy their drinks exactly the way they like every time — and partners (Starbucks' term for employees) can spend less time in the backroom and more time making drinks and connecting with customers."

　　Lefevre pointed out that this technology has already been deployed in thousands of Starbucks stores, where the frequency of inventory counts has increased eightfold compared to before.

　　According to information on the official website, this technology is provided by NomadGo, a company that also offers similar inventory counting services to other chain brands, such as a franchisee of Taco Bell and KFC.

　　NomadGo CEO David Greschler said in a press release: "Since ancient times, inventory counting has been a manual, tedious, and error-prone task." The press release stated that NomadGo's technology is "a unique fusion of edge 3D spatial intelligence, computer vision, and augmented reality technology."

　　Starbucks stated that the launch of the AI-powered inventory counting system is part of its overall plan to optimize the supply chain.

　　Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is a supporter of artificial intelligence technology. In recent months, he has promoted the deployment of several other technologies at Starbucks, including the virtual assistant for employees "Green Dot Assist" and the "Smart Queue" system for optimizing customer order sequencing.