They rolled in Woolies and caused a stir… then vanished. What happened?
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If you’ve popped into your local Woolies in Canberra over the past year, you might have noticed something—or rather, someone—missing from the aisles.
No, we’re not talking about your favourite checkout operator or that elusive half-price Tim Tam display.
We’re talking about Frank and Steve, the store’s very own robot helpers, who quietly vanished from the Belconnen area, leaving some shoppers scratching their heads and others breathing a sigh of relief.
For those who missed the saga, let’s rewind a bit. In 2019, Woolworths began trialling a new breed of 'employee' in fewer than 10 stores across the ACT, NSW, Victoria, and Queensland: AI-powered safety robots.
These machines, affectionately nicknamed 'Frank' at Charnwood stores and 'Steve' (or 'Kippy') at Kippax Fair, were designed to patrol the aisles, scanning for spills, trip hazards, and other dangers.
Their job? To alert human staff to potential problems—no mops or buckets required. They were tasked to clean up messes in aisles.
The robots quickly became local celebrities. Some shoppers, especially kids, loved them.
One parent shared, 'My son loved the one at Kippax and used to follow it around and give it a hug.'
Another chimed in, 'My son and I miss Kippy too. We wondered what happened.' For these families, the robots were more than just high-tech janitors—they were friendly faces (well, screens) in the supermarket routine.
But not everyone was a fan. Some found the robots a bit unnerving, with one shopper admitting, 'Those things freaked me the heck out.'
Others found them more of a hindrance than a help: 'Good riddance, they were always in my way,' and 'I used to swear at them.'
There were even complaints that the robots, in their quest to keep shoppers safe, sometimes became obstacles themselves: 'They just stood in front of [the hazard] and were like ‘hazard detected, please stand clear’. They were a hazard anyway.'
However, last month, a post in the Canberra Notice Board Group on Facebook hinted that both had gone missing. ‘Super duper random … but just went to Woolies tonight (Kippax) and just realised that the … robot otherwise known as ‘Kippy’ isn’t there anymore.’ So, what happened to Frank and Steve?
According to Woolworths, the trial ended last year because the project 'wasn’t the right fit.'
The company thanked customers and staff for their feedback but didn’t elaborate on the specifics. Was it the mixed public reaction? Technical hiccups? Or perhaps the robots just weren’t as efficient as hoped? The truth remains a bit of a mystery.
Also read: Is this 'more surveillance'? Shoppers raise concerns after peculiar sightings at their local supermarket
Woolies, however, hasn’t given up on automation. In Brisbane, for example, 'little green machines' are still helping staff collect trolleys from car parks in 10 stores.
These trolley robots are operated by staff members, who steer from the front while the machine does the heavy lifting at the back.
According to Woolworths, these aids make life easier for workers, especially in tricky car parks with slopes or ramps, and help keep trolleys ready for customers.
The broader conversation about robots in retail is far from over. The Retail and Fast Food Workers Union has previously supported the use of such 'tools of the trade,' likening them to the introduction of electric pallet jacks, which have made moving stock safer and easier for workers.
Source: Anthony Ang / Youtube.
As union secretary Josh Cullinan put it, 'Electric pallet jacks have been a big benefit for workers.'
Of course, not all robot encounters have been positive. In 2020, a visually-impaired woman in Melbourne reported that a Woolies safety robot had 'stalked' her and her guide dog, repeatedly announcing 'obstruction' and causing distress.
Woolworths responded by speaking with the customer and promising to take feedback on board, noting that the robots are equipped with sensors and have undergone extensive safety testing.
So, will we see more robots in Woolies stores in the future? The supermarket giant hasn’t confirmed any new rollouts as of present.
Read next: Could robots be taking over your local supermarket? Here’s what Aussies are saying
Did you ever encounter Frank, Steve, or any other supermarket robots? Were they a help, a hindrance, or just a bit of harmless fun? Would you welcome more robots in your local store, or do you prefer the human touch? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below!
No, we’re not talking about your favourite checkout operator or that elusive half-price Tim Tam display.
We’re talking about Frank and Steve, the store’s very own robot helpers, who quietly vanished from the Belconnen area, leaving some shoppers scratching their heads and others breathing a sigh of relief.
For those who missed the saga, let’s rewind a bit. In 2019, Woolworths began trialling a new breed of 'employee' in fewer than 10 stores across the ACT, NSW, Victoria, and Queensland: AI-powered safety robots.
These machines, affectionately nicknamed 'Frank' at Charnwood stores and 'Steve' (or 'Kippy') at Kippax Fair, were designed to patrol the aisles, scanning for spills, trip hazards, and other dangers.
Their job? To alert human staff to potential problems—no mops or buckets required. They were tasked to clean up messes in aisles.
The robots quickly became local celebrities. Some shoppers, especially kids, loved them.
Woolworths has ended its trial of AI-driven 'safety robots' like 'Frank' and 'Steve' in select Canberra stores, stating the project was not the right fit. Image source: More Locations / Youtube.
One parent shared, 'My son loved the one at Kippax and used to follow it around and give it a hug.'
Another chimed in, 'My son and I miss Kippy too. We wondered what happened.' For these families, the robots were more than just high-tech janitors—they were friendly faces (well, screens) in the supermarket routine.
But not everyone was a fan. Some found the robots a bit unnerving, with one shopper admitting, 'Those things freaked me the heck out.'
Others found them more of a hindrance than a help: 'Good riddance, they were always in my way,' and 'I used to swear at them.'
There were even complaints that the robots, in their quest to keep shoppers safe, sometimes became obstacles themselves: 'They just stood in front of [the hazard] and were like ‘hazard detected, please stand clear’. They were a hazard anyway.'
However, last month, a post in the Canberra Notice Board Group on Facebook hinted that both had gone missing. ‘Super duper random … but just went to Woolies tonight (Kippax) and just realised that the … robot otherwise known as ‘Kippy’ isn’t there anymore.’ So, what happened to Frank and Steve?
According to Woolworths, the trial ended last year because the project 'wasn’t the right fit.'
The company thanked customers and staff for their feedback but didn’t elaborate on the specifics. Was it the mixed public reaction? Technical hiccups? Or perhaps the robots just weren’t as efficient as hoped? The truth remains a bit of a mystery.
Also read: Is this 'more surveillance'? Shoppers raise concerns after peculiar sightings at their local supermarket
Woolies, however, hasn’t given up on automation. In Brisbane, for example, 'little green machines' are still helping staff collect trolleys from car parks in 10 stores.
These trolley robots are operated by staff members, who steer from the front while the machine does the heavy lifting at the back.
According to Woolworths, these aids make life easier for workers, especially in tricky car parks with slopes or ramps, and help keep trolleys ready for customers.
The broader conversation about robots in retail is far from over. The Retail and Fast Food Workers Union has previously supported the use of such 'tools of the trade,' likening them to the introduction of electric pallet jacks, which have made moving stock safer and easier for workers.
Source: Anthony Ang / Youtube.
As union secretary Josh Cullinan put it, 'Electric pallet jacks have been a big benefit for workers.'
Of course, not all robot encounters have been positive. In 2020, a visually-impaired woman in Melbourne reported that a Woolies safety robot had 'stalked' her and her guide dog, repeatedly announcing 'obstruction' and causing distress.
Woolworths responded by speaking with the customer and promising to take feedback on board, noting that the robots are equipped with sensors and have undergone extensive safety testing.
So, will we see more robots in Woolies stores in the future? The supermarket giant hasn’t confirmed any new rollouts as of present.
Read next: Could robots be taking over your local supermarket? Here’s what Aussies are saying
Did you ever encounter Frank, Steve, or any other supermarket robots? Were they a help, a hindrance, or just a bit of harmless fun? Would you welcome more robots in your local store, or do you prefer the human touch? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below!
