Kroger's autonomous inventory robot, photographed inside the Morehead, Kentucky, store on October 29, 2026. Photo by The Morehead Minute.
MOREHEAD, Ky. — Shoppers visiting Kroger in Morehead may encounter something a little unusual moving through the grocery aisles. It's tall, white, travels on wheels, and doesn't need a shopping cart.
Meet Tally, Kroger's robotic inventory assistant.
During a visit to the Morehead Kroger on Thursday, October 29, The Morehead Minute observed the robot in action. The machine, which stands approximately six and a half feet tall, displays a friendly introduction on its front: "Hi, I'm Tally! I check shelf inventory."
But what exactly does Tally do, and why is Kroger using robots in its stores?
What Is Tally?
Tally is an autonomous inventory robot manufactured by Simbe Robotics, a California-based technology company.
Using cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence, the robot travels through grocery aisles collecting information about the merchandise displayed on store shelves.
Its primary responsibilities include:
Identifying empty shelves: Detecting products that are sold out or running low.
Checking prices: Identifying possible discrepancies involving shelf price labels.
Finding misplaced merchandise: Recognizing products that may be sitting in the wrong locations.
Monitoring inventory: Providing employees with updated information about shelf conditions.
Instead of requiring employees to manually inspect thousands of products, Tally performs much of that repetitive checking automatically.
The information it collects is processed and made available to store personnel, who can then address problems.
Does Tally Replace Kroger Employees?
Not exactly.
Tally does not physically stock shelves, unload delivery trucks, operate cash registers, or place merchandise in customers' shopping carts.
Its purpose is to identify potential inventory problems so employees can spend less time searching for them and more time correcting them.
Kroger has described the technology as a way to improve product availability while allowing employees more time to assist customers.
Is the Robot Watching Customers?
With its numerous cameras and sensors, some shoppers may understandably wonder whether Tally is monitoring their movements.
According to Simbe Robotics, Tally is designed to observe merchandise and shelf conditions, not to track shoppers or their purchases.
The robot also has sensors that allow it to recognize obstacles, including customers and shopping carts. When something blocks its path, it can stop, wait, maneuver around the obstruction, or return later.
Part of Kroger's Growing Use of Technology
Kroger began testing robotic inventory systems in selected stores in 2024, including locations in Ohio and Indiana.
The technology has since expanded into additional markets.
During its October 20, 2026, Investor Day presentation, Kroger reported having approximately 900 robots operating across its business, with plans to increase that number to more than 2,100 by 2029.
The appearance of Tally at the Morehead location brings this technology directly to local shoppers.
While the exact date Tally began operating at the Morehead store has not been confirmed, its presence illustrates how artificial intelligence and automation are becoming increasingly common in everyday retail operations.
For now, if you encounter the tall white robot making its rounds at Kroger, there's no need for alarm.
It's simply Tally, checking the shelves to help make sure the groceries you came for are where they're supposed to be.
Photo: Tally, Kroger's autonomous inventory robot, photographed inside the Morehead, Kentucky, store on October 29, 2026. Photo by The Morehead Minute.
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