Sainsbury's to expand new 'AI feature' across UK 'by October'

Sainsbury's to expand new 'AI feature' across UK 'by October' The new safety cameras are being fitted after a trial had 'hugely encouraging' results Sainsbury's has announced a significant upgrade to its UK home delivery operation. Using artificial intelligence, the new system will be fitted across the supermarket's entire van fleet to detect and track 'safety breaches'. The vehicles will shortly be fitted with 'double-facing' cameras — pointing at both the driver and the road ahead. These cameras will identify issues such as a delivery driver not wearing their seatbelt or failing to keep their eyes on the road, and will "sound a vocal alert". According to a report by The Grocer, supermarket bosses revealed that the cameras activate and display a red 'recording' light as soon as the ignition is switched on, remaining operational for 10 minutes after the engine is turned off. Footage is only stored "when there is something to record", such as in the event of a collision. The rollout follows a successful trial earlier this year involving hundreds of delivery drivers. During the pilot scheme, the cameras led to a 77% drop in "safety incidents" and a 57% reduction in harsh braking. A Sainsbury's spokesperson told The Grocer: "Following a successful trial with hundreds of drivers, we're rolling out safety cameras across our grocery delivery fleet as part of our ongoing commitment to colleague safety. Results were hugely encouraging.", reports the Express. "This technology, already widely used by delivery companies, provides real-time hazard alerts and only records when a potential incident is detected." According to reports, the camera rollout is set to take place between June and October. Once cameras are fitted at a distribution site or store, there will be a two-week period before they become fully operational, giving drivers time to adapt. Sainsbury's confirmed it had held consultations with drivers and unions ahead of the broader rollout. Bally Auluk, national officer for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers [USDAW], said: "USDAW continues to work closely with Sainsbury's on measures to improve colleague safety. We have seen the benefits of the successful trial of this technology. "We recognise the challenges delivery drivers may face on the road, and we support steps employers take to help keep colleagues safe and ensure our members are not incorrectly blamed for incidents which are not their fault. It is important that there is clear awareness that vehicles are monitored and we also urge the public to treat our members with the respect they deserve as key workers delivering an essential service." In other Sainsbury's news, stores will be upholding a '40p bag rule' across 1,500 UK outlets. Shoppers have recently asked whether the supermarket giant offers replacement 'bags for life' for damaged ones. Here's what each major supermarket said: - Asda: “If your Bag for Life breaks or gets damaged, we will happily replace it free of charge.” - Tesco: “If your Tesco Bag for Life becomes worn out, bring it to the checkout and exchange it for a new one, free of charge.” - Sainsbury’s: “We offer reusable Bags for Life, made from 100% recycled content. When they wear down, we replace them for free and recycle the old bag.” - Morrisons: No free replacements. Morrisons scrapped plastic Bags for Life and replaced them with paper alternatives. - M&S: “You can return your Bag for Life for replacement or recycling when they wear out.” - Lidl: The store replaces damaged Bags for Life for free. If your reusable plastic Bag for Life wears out or breaks, you can simply hand it to the cashier at the checkout to exchange it for a new one. - Aldi: No free replacements. Aldi does not offer a policy for swapping old Bags for Life for new ones.