Australia’s first autonomous convenience store in a mining village has opened at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri site, offering convenience for fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) workers.
Operated by Sodexo Australia and powered by AI provider AiFi, the store allows up to 800 residents and guests to shop without a traditional checkout process. The technology uses computer vision and sensors to track purchases, enabling a seamless shopping experience.
Daniel Zarew, Head of Retail at Sodexo Australia, said the store is designed to accommodate the varied shifts of FIFO workers.
“Autonomous experiences are the next evolution in retailing. Offering 24/7 access with no need to wait in lines, we can now deliver a seamless shopping experience—perfect for the varied shifts of mining residents.”
Housed in a portable, air-conditioned shipping container, the store offers more than 50 types of cold beverages and 50 snack options. Its modular design allows it to be relocated to different sites as needed.
Keith Weston, Managing Director of Sodexo Australia, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to improving the experience of FIFO workers.
“Sodexo’s investment into autonomous retailing demonstrates our commitment to delivering the best resident experience for FIFO workers across Australia’s Energy and Resources sector.
“We’ll take the success and learnings of this first store to explore potential opportunities for broader implementation nationwide in the future.”
Steve Carlin, CEO of AiFi, highlighted the impact of the technology on remote communities.
“By providing convenience and comfort to a remote site, we believe in Sodexo’s commitment to innovative technologies and solutions that enhance the ‘every person’ day-to-day experience.”
The store, which launched on 29 January, operates 24/7, giving workers access to snacks and drinks at any time.
Richard Cohen, Managing Director, Port, Rail & Core Services at Rio Tinto Iron Ore, said the initiative adds to Gudai-Darri’s reputation as a technologically advanced site.
“Providing a range of services and offerings to our workforce is important to ensure they continue to have a great experience while they are in our villages. We’re pleased to partner with Sodexo in their industry-first trial of this new retail technology.”
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