Your MoneyTOP STORY

AI robots roam L.A. grocery aisles as union pushes back

The Los Angeles Times reports the robots scan shelf inventory at Ralphs while the grocery workers' union tries to stop them; shoppers are uneasy too.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on BBN This Morning
Published 6:35 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: Coolcaesar at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

▶ As it aired · Your Money

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN This Morning at 6:35 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Los Angeles Times's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Ralphs — Photo: Coolcaesar at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

At a glance

First reported by Los Angeles Times: “AI robots are roaming L.A. grocery store aisles. Shoppers and workers are worried”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 6:35 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
Topics: L.A., AI.
BBN covered this story before: Phil Rosenthal offers diner fans a points-for-experiences deal (October 14).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Los Angeles TimesAI robots are roaming L.A. grocery store aisles. Shoppers and workers are worried

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWe promised you this one: robots are roaming the aisles at Ralphs in Los Angeles, scanning inventory, and the union is trying to stop them.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFiling that under frozen foods, because the workers are cold on it.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorIt starts with counting cereal boxes, and by Friday the robot is counting you.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's a helpful little friend, Dale, and it never takes a lunch break.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat's the complaint, Vera.

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