Walmart makes an important decision about its stores in the US: Starting now

Customers who have recently visited some Walmart stores in the United States have encountered an unexpected novelty. The company has introduced a visible change to the exterior of some locations. The situation has attracted so much attention that it quickly went viral on social media.

All this is because Walmart has started testing a new automated surveillance system with robots patrolling the outdoor areas. The device, which has a futuristic appearance and is equipped with several cameras, has caused both curiosity and concern among users. According to a company spokesperson, for now, this is just an experiment with no long-term plans.

A Strategy That Doesn't Go Unnoticed

The robot, which doesn't have an official name, moves on six black wheels and features a white and blue design. It is equipped with a camera on its head with 360-degree vision and other sensors to record what happens around it. A human voice has even been heard coming from the device, which suggests that someone is operating or supervising it from a remote location, according to The Sun.

A TikTok user known as Goldpine shared a video where she jokes: "Just watching Walmart? The streets here are tough... Cat got your tongue?" To everyone's surprise, the robot replied with a male voice: "What did you say?" The moment has been played hundreds of thousands of times and has caused thousands of comments.

Many users expressed their concern, "This isn't security, it's information gathering with 360-degree license plate readers," wrote one. Another commented: "It's not going to stop an armed striker, it'll just record everything with its camera." Comparisons with movies like Robocop or Terminator have been inevitable among internet users.

More Doubts Than Certainties In This Technological Bet

Although Walmart has clarified that they're only evaluating the robot's performance, the measure has drawn criticism. Some see this decision as a way to avoid hiring human workers, "They'll do anything not to pay someone," one user pointed out. Others prefer human interaction: "As long as there's not a bomb, I'd rather have a person watching the parking lot."

This isn't the first time the American chain has incorporated technology to replace tasks performed by employees. Years ago, they tested an automatic floor scrubber called "Freddy," but its performance was so inconsistent that it ended up causing more problems than solutions. In addition, the increase in self-checkout stations has also been criticized for reducing interaction with staff.

Despite everything, Walmart insists that they're only seeking to innovate to improve the shopping experience and strengthen security; the robot, for now, is just a test. But many in the United States are wondering if this is the beginning of a new era or the end of human security guards. As one customer said: "Are we ready for this reality?"