By Carolyn Cummins
Robots are the latest retail "disrupter" as they head to a shopping centre near you to offer advice, assistance and some entertainment.
And it's big business, with International Data Corporation forecasting the global robotic market will be worth $US135 billion ($A181 billion) by 2019. Furthermore, according to Boston Consulting Group, the use of advanced robotics will rise by about 2-3 per cent annually to about 25 per cent in the next decade.
Chip, a 1.7m tall, 100kg social humanoid robot, was developed by Spanish company PAL Robotics.
So meet Chip, a 1.7-metre tall, 100 kilogram social humanoid robot coming to you via Stockland shopping centres.
Stockland is pioneering the use of robotics within its 40 shopping centres and conducted its first test case of human-robot interaction at Stockland Merrylands shopping centre in western Sydney and will look to do the same at its three Melbourne centres in the future.
Chip is one of only three models in the world being used at Stockland malls.
There are only three Chip robots in the world and the idea is for it interact with the public and even help carry shopping to people's cars.
Chip comes from a partnership between Stockland, the Commonwealth Bank, Australian Technology Network of Universities and University of Technology Sydney, to invest in the research and development of social robotics for the future of its business. It was developed by Spanish company PAL Robotics.
As part of the corporate-academic partnership, students from five leading Australian technology universities (QUT, UTS, RMIT, University of SA and Curtin University) have been provided access to the advanced social robotics technology in Chip, along with the opportunity to run experiments and conduct research in real-life settings and support with research resources.
Automated technology, once just a fantasy of science fiction writers, are used in every aspect of the world, with the property sector leading the charge.
Recently JLL unveiled JiLL, a 57 cm tall NAO robot, to work as the firm's corporate front of house administration team for its newest office at 50 Carrington Street.
Working as part of a fully automated visitor management solution, JiLL will greet and support staff, visitors and couriers with a range of front of house tasks, including check-in for meetings, providing directions, contacting hosts and recording and reporting technology or building maintenance issues.
According to a new report from CBRE Group, Inc, rapidly emerging advancements in technology such as autonomous trucks, 3D printing and warehouse automation will foster dramatic changes in how shippers, retailers and manufacturers configure their supply chains and distribution strategies, spurring a need for different formats and locations for industrial real estate.
The report says taken together, these advancements will encourage industrial users to modernise their networks to adapt to the fast-evolving market rather than inherently requiring them to add more or fewer warehouses and distribution centres.
Each of these technology categories are on track to reach widespread use by 2025.
Stockland's Michael Rosmarin, group executive and chief operating officer, the group is using Chip to pilot practical applications of technology that is available today with much longer-term thinking about what the future may hold for our customers.
"This test case is just a glimpse into the possible opportunities for the future of retail in Australia," Mr Rosmarin said."
"Our shoppers have already demonstrated their desire for a more tech-integrated experience through their adoption of new digital channels and tools. Properly leveraged, the capabilities of robots can enhance the overall customer experience."
The retail industry is often at the forefront of new technology, but with the constantly changing retail landscape, executive director of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, Angus Nardi believes it is integral that Australian shopping centres continue to "evolve and adapt to retailer, customer and global demands".
"In the ever-changing retail landscape, technology is increasingly critical to drive innovation, efficiency and customer-engagement," Mr Nardi said.
"At Stockland, we believe there are a number of opportunities where this technology could be intelligently integrated into our business parks and logistics facilities, shopping centres and, even possibly, our residential and retirement living communities," Mr Rosmarin said.