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Ahold Delhaize’s RBS pilots UV disinfection robots

Ava Robotics technology aids COVID-19 cleaning in two distribution centers

Russell Redman

January 8, 2021

3 Min Read
Ahold Delhaize USA distribution center-Dunn NC-Food Lion.jpg
The UV disinfection robots are now being tested at Ahold Delhaize’s affiliated DCs in Dunn, N.C., and Schodack, N.Y.Ahold Delhaize USA

Ahold Delhaize USA’s Retail Business Services (RBS) arm is testing ultraviolet disinfection robots in two distribution centers to support stepped-up cleaning procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Cambridge, Mass.-based Ava Robotics, the UV disinfection robots are now being used in a pilot at Ahold Delhaize’s affiliated DCs in Schodack, N.Y., and Dunn, N.C. In announcing the initiative on Friday, Ava said Ahold Delhaize is the first grocery retailer to employ the technology.

Ava Robotics-UV disinfection robot-Ahold Delhaize RBS.jpgAva Robotics said the UV robot can disinfect both air and surfaces, with 99% effectiveness against COVID-19. (Photo courtesy of Ava Robotics)

“2020 was an unprecedented year for grocery retail. As we delivered an exponential volume of products to grocery stores and their customers to provide the nourishment families need, ensuring the safety of associates in our distribution centers has been a top priority,” Chris Lewis, executive vice president of supply chain for Retail Business Services, said in a statement. “In addition to other robust health and safety measures, the robots have enabled us to further enhance disinfection procedures at two sites to protect our greatest asset — our people. We were pleased to be the first in the industry to support the testing of this technology.”

Related:Schnuck Markets to deploy floor-scrubbing robots

When asked if the robot will be deployed to other Ahold Delhaize USA distribution facilities and stores, a spokeswoman for Quincy, Mass.-based RBS told Supermarket News that the company is still assessing Ava’s solution.

“The team continues to evaluate the technology at this time. No decisions about further rollout have been made yet,” Erin DeWaters, director of communications for RBS, said in an email.

Ava’s robot is designed to provide autonomous UV disinfection — for COVID-19 and other cleaning needs — in workplace settings, such as corporate offices, warehouses and other workspaces. The UV robot can be used to disinfect both air and surfaces, with a disinfection rate of approximately 9,000 square feet per hour and 99% effectiveness against COVID-19, Ava reported. 

Facilities managers can remotely access the robot and automatically receive email reports to confirm proper dosages for assigned areas. In addition, screens and speakers on the unit provide disinfection-related announcements, and the technology offers easy integration with cleaning best practices and current protocols, Ava said.

The UV robots are slated to ship and become widely available early in the second quarter of 2021, according to Ava. The company also offers Cisco Webex-enabled telepresence robots to provide a mobile solution for workplace collaboration, including videoconferencing.

Related:Woodman’s Markets to deploy aisle-roving robots

Because the UV robots can automatically clean specified areas in a workplace based on preset schedules, employees can focus on other areas of need for disinfection, Ava noted.

“With this timely expansion of our technology, we are bringing an intelligent UV disinfection robot with autonomous mobility to a market in great need,” stated Youssef Saleh, co-founder and CEO of Ava Robotics. “Businesses must make employees, customers — and really anyone coming into their place of work — feel confident that all that can be done to keep them safe and healthy is being done.”

The UV robots have also been piloted at other organizations, including Steelcase and Boston City Hall. Other companies using robots from Ava, which was spun out of consumer robotics maker iRobot, include Fidelity, Deloitte and Hilton.

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Ahold Delhaize USA

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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