OSHBots: Robopocalypse Coming to Orchard Supply Hardware

The robots are coming. Lowe's is testing whether new bots on wheels can improve its customer service, like helping a shopper find a match for something as simple as a nail.

Four robots are being tested an Orchard Supply Hardware store owned by Lowe's Companies Inc. in San Jose, California.

The robots dubbed OSHbots look like white columns with two large black screens on either side of them, and wheels to help them move. They are equipped with 3D cameras so they can scan and identify items. And customers can research items they want to buy on their screen. Then the robot can lead them to the aisle where an item is located.

"They're based on making a science fiction story a reality," said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe's Innovation Lab.

The robots also have a database of what inventory is in stock at the store, so they can let customers know if something is out of stock or not.

"People can come in with a random screw and say Mr. Robot, I need more of these, and if we do have it in the store, they can find it," Nel said. The robots can speak in English and Spanish.

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Overstock Inc now Accepting Bitcoin

Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSTK) announces it now accepts Bitcoin as a form of payment on its online shopping site.



Customers can shop the Overstock.com website for any of the over 1 million products available, including furniture, rugs, electronics and jewelry. Once items are selected and placed in the customer's shopping cart, Bitcoin is a payment choice along with Visa, MasterCard and PayPal.

"This is historic. Digital currency will be an important part of the future and Overstock is excited to be the first major online shopping retailer to accept it," states Overstock.com Chairman and CEO Patrick M. Byrne. "As one who believes in limited government, this attracts me because it is a form of money that no government mandarin can will it into existence."

Byrne noted that Bitcoin is the world's most widely used cryptocurrency. The Bitcoin peer-to-peer network is made up of thousands of computers run by individuals around the world and doesn't answer to a central authority. It is similar to gold in that its supply is constrained mathematically to up to 21 million units that will grow in a predictable manner.

"Bitcoin is well suited for online transactions. It has no transaction fees and works well for international customers. Providing this convenience for the cult-following Bitcoin customer is the smart thing to do," continues Byrne. "Other online companies will have to follow suit soon."

Overstock.com is partnering with Coinbase.com out of San Francisco, Calif., to process the payments and to handle the conversion of Bitcoin into U.S. dollars. Byrne says, "Coinbase has been a dream to work with on this project."

"We believe that Bitcoin is nearing a tipping point for broad consumer adoption, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be working with the team at Overstock.com to help make that a reality,' states Fred Ehrsam, co-founder of Coinbase.

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Staples to Start Selling 3D Printer for Consumers

Staples, the world’s largest office products company and second largest e-commerce company, today became the first major U.S. retailer to announce the availability of 3D printers. The Cube® 3D Printer from 3D Systems, a leading global provider of 3D content-to-print solutions, is immediately available on Staples.com for $1299.99 and will be available in a limited number of Staples stores by the end of June.

Whoa.  If the price for the raw material is cheap enough or could fall to cheap enough within a decade, you just unleashed a massive shift in the economy.