Walmart is deploying millions of ambient internet-of-things (IoT) sensors across its US supply chain in partnership with Wiliot, in what the companies claim is the retail industry’s first large-scale rollout of the technology.
The collaboration will see Wiliot’s battery-free “IoT Pixels” attached to Walmart pallets, feeding data into the retailer’s artificial intelligence systems to improve inventory tracking, supply chain efficiency, and compliance in its cold chain. The partners expect the deployment to reach 90m sensors by the end of 2026.
The system is already in place at 500 Walmart sites, including stores and distribution centres, and will expand nationally next year to cover 4,600 large stores, its smaller-format convenience stores, and more than 40 distribution facilities.
“With Walmart, we are advancing supply chain performance at an unprecedented scale,” said Tal Tamir, Wiliot Chief Executive. “This nationwide deployment adds a new layer of digitisation to Walmart’s supply chain, empowering associates with real-time insights and automation.”
Greg Cathey, Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Transformation & Innovation, said the project addresses one of the most persistent problems in retail: knowing “exactly what we own and where it is at any given moment.” He added that the technology would enable faster, more accurate inventory decisions and support a better customer experience.
Wiliot’s ambient IoT sensors transmit location and condition data without the need for manual scanning, allowing Walmart staff to act on automated alerts and reducing inventory discrepancies. The data feeds into Walmart’s AI models, which the company is increasingly relying on to optimise operations.
The move underscores Walmart’s push to digitise its logistics network as it competes with Amazon and other retailers investing heavily in automation. It also marks a milestone for Wiliot, a San Diego-based start-up whose backers include SoftBank’s Vision Fund and Qualcomm Ventures, as it seeks to prove its ambient IoT platform can operate at scale.
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