Walmart is enhancing sensor and artificial intelligence (AI) technology across its global supply chain. Through a partnership with technology company Wiliot, the US retailer is deploying an internet of things (IoT) sensor system to monitor real-time inventory, from distribution centers to stores.

Walmart packages move on a conveyor belt at a distribution center in Dallas-Fort Worth. Photo: Wiliot

According to a 2/10 statement, data from Wiliot's "ambient IoT" sensors helps Walmart improve operational efficiency, inventory accuracy, and cold chain monitoring. The system automatically sends alerts, reducing manual workload for employees. Walmart has currently installed the system in 500 stores, with nationwide expansion planned for 2026, covering over 4,600 retail locations and over 40 distribution centers.

Julien Bellanger, President of Wiliot, stated that Wiliot is attaching millions of sensors, called "Pixels", to pallets of goods moving through Walmart's supply chain. In the future, the company aims to attach sensors at the case level, allowing for more detailed tracking of individual product units.

Wiliot's sensors are useful in cold chain management, helping ensure fruits and vegetables move directly into cold storage upon arrival at stores. The system also provides automatic location signals, aiding real-time pallet tracking without manual scanning or paperwork.

"Accurate confirmation of shipments within the supply chain is extremely important", Bellanger said. "All data is automatically generated, requiring no scanning or manual recording, and both suppliers and Walmart can access information instantly."

The company integrates sensor data directly into its AI system. Greg Cathey, Senior Vice President of Transformation and Innovation at Walmart, stated: "Thanks to Wiliot's ambient IoT technology combined with our internal AI system, we can make faster, smarter decisions in inventory management – while solving retail's biggest problem: knowing exactly what we own and where it is, at any given time."

The Dan (according to Supply Chain Dive)