90 million sensors: Walmart’s bold move in logistics

Core Insights - Walmart is significantly expanding its use of artificial intelligence and IoT technology through a large-scale deployment of Wiliot's ambient IoT platform, marking a major advancement in item-level sensing in retail [1][6] Technology Implementation - The partnership involves the use of battery-free Bluetooth sensors, referred to as "Pixels," which will be applied across pallets, packages, and products within Walmart's network, providing real-time data on inventory location, movement, and condition [2][4] - The technology is currently operational in over 500 Walmart locations and is expected to expand to more than 4,600 Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and logistics hubs by 2026, with a potential deployment of up to 90 million sensors [3] Operational Efficiency - The initiative aims to eliminate manual inventory tracking and scanning, which are time-consuming and prone to errors, thereby enhancing accuracy and efficiency in Walmart's operations [4] - The real-time visibility from the sensors allows associates to concentrate more on customer service, improving overall operational effectiveness [4] Strategic Goals - Walmart's senior vice president of transformation and innovation emphasized that digitization of the supply chain enables faster and more informed decision-making, creating a responsive network that adapts in real-time to store and distribution center conditions [5] - Wiliot's CEO highlighted that this deployment adds a new layer of digitization to Walmart's supply chain, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness through real-time insights and automation [6]