Walmart is deploying millions of battery-free ambient Internet of Things (IoT) sensors throughout its vast US supply chain, CNBC reports.
This initiative, utilising technology from the firm Wiliot, is being heralded as the first large-scale deployment of ambient IoT in retail and stands as one of the most extensive implementations of its kind globally.
The core objective of this technological shift is to track pallets on a nationwide scale by the end of 2026. According to Greg Cathey, Senior Vice President of Transformation and Innovation at Walmart, “Expansion to other global markets is under consideration, but the immediate focus is the US rollout.”
The programme will see sensors active in approximately 500 Walmart locations by the year’s end, with a full national expansion across 4,600 Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and over 40 distribution centres planned for 2026.
From predictive analysis to precision decision-making
Ambient IoT represents a significant evolution from legacy systems like RFID. These devices are powered not by batteries but by harvesting ambient energy from radio waves, light, and other environmental sources, promising lower costs and greater scalability.
The sensors deployed by Walmart capture critical data points including temperature, location, humidity, and dwell time. This continuous stream of high-resolution supply chain data is then fed into the company’s advanced artificial intelligence systems.
“This data provides proof of delivery, improves replenishment decisions, and lets us know where our items are in real time,” Cathey explained. “By combining continuous sensing with AI, we’re moving from probabilistic predictions to precision decision-making.”
When operating at full capacity, the system will provide real-time insights into the whereabouts and ownership status of an estimated 90 million pallets of inventory. The initiative is already yielding practical benefits by automating manual tasks.
The success of this ambitious project now hinges on execution.
“The question was never if the technology could deliver on its promise,” said Bill Ray, distinguished vice president, analyst and chief of research at research firm Gartner. “The question was if Wiliot could reliably scale production without compromising tag performance or price, and if it could integrate with existing supply chain systems. This announcement tells us that Walmart is convinced it can, now Wiliot will have to prove it.”
While specific cost savings were not disclosed, Walmart anticipates gains from heightened supply chain efficiency, improved inventory accuracy, and the ability to restock shelves more rapidly, ultimately leading to better product availability for customers.
