Lawson Opens AI Robot Store in Tokyo with KDDI Tech

Tokyo, Japan - Convenience store chain Lawson opened a technology test facility in Tokyo on Monday, installing robots, artificial intelligence systems, and digital displays at the experimental location.

The store operates under the name Real x Tech Lawson at Takanawa Gateway City.

The facility includes a robot that prepares Kara-age Kun fried chicken and another robot that cleans floors.

Digital panels display product information and local event details. 

A self-checkout system features a three-dimensional avatar of a Lawson employee that provides remote customer assistance.

Cameras and tags monitor inventory levels and employee workloads. AI systems analyze the data and suggest operational changes.

KDDI and Lawson developed the store using KDDI's technology resources.

The companies said they plan to assess performance at the test location before determining whether to open additional technology stores.

KDDI invested JPY 497 billion in Lawson in February 2024 and closed the deal in April 2024.

The telecommunications company first purchased Lawson shares in 2019, acquiring a 2.1 percent stake.

Lawson operates 14,700 stores in Japan.

The test store will evaluate solutions before a potential wider deployment across Lawson's network.