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Kaufland Pilots Autonomous Cleaning Robots in Five German Stores

The trial evaluates cleaning performance to gauge a potential rollout based on shopper response.

Overview

  • Kaufland has begun testing robotic floor cleaners in five locations: Nürtingen, Hechingen, HeidelbergRohrbach, Eberbach and Köln‑Merheim.
  • An additional setup in Heilbronn runs only overnight and requires integration with the store’s intrusion alarm to avoid false triggers.
  • The machines operate during early cleaning and open hours, navigating independently with sensors that stop or reroute at obstacles.
  • Key measures include cleaning quality, battery life and automatic fresh‑water exchange, with customer reactions closely monitored.
  • Kaufland positions the robots as support for staff rather than a replacement, and no decision on broader deployment has been announced.