WALMART has sparked Terminator fears after unleashing a security robot to patrol a store’s parking lot.
Stunned shoppers wondered whether future versions of the creepy gadget will be “armed with tasers and guns.”
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Clips of the robot at work in a Walmart parking lot have gone viral across social media - prompting thousands of comments.
Goldpine (@goldpinemusic) posted footage of the retail giant’s automated staffer to her TikTok account on Saturday, which has already racked up hundreds of thousands of views.
It reveals the blue and white colored robot operating on six black wheels, with multiple cameras to spy on shoppers, including a large one on its head.
Goldpine even had a cheeky chat with the robot - which answered back.
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While filming the robo-guard, the TikToker told viewers, “This is the first of its kind - he just sized that guy up (in the parking lot).”
She called out to the robot, “Just keeping Walmart safe? The streets of Walmart are rough… cat got your tongue?”
A man’s voice can suddenly be heard from the robot replying, “Yo, what you say?” It's believed the man was using the robot to spy on the car park lot from a hidden location.
The TikToker then asked, “Yo, what’s your name?” She was told by the unseen man, “We don’t have a name yet.”
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As the device returned to its duties, the woman told viewers, “Yo, Walmart has got a security that’s a robot!"
The Daily Dot reported on Saturday that a 360-degree camera appears to have been installed on the robot’s head.
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Lights, and additional cameras have been set into the blue and white panels of the six-wheeled bot.
The website added, “Its front tires are smaller and are fixed to a swivel mechanism.
"This appears to allow the robot to switch direction, with its larger, more rugged back tires handling rear-traction duties.
“Then there’s the middle set of tires, which presumably allows the robot to go over bumps and curbs.”
I'm still traumatized from RoboCop & refuse to trust security robots
Walmart shopper
Goldpine's clip sparked much concern, including about the retailer "doing anything and everything to not pay somebody."
One viewer wrote, "That is not security. It has 360 degee license plate readers. This is big brother soliciting your information."
Another said, "That robot won’t be able to stop an active shooter, just document the horrible incident on camera."
And one person noted, "Y'all think it's funny but I'm still traumatized from RoboCop & refuse to trust security robots."
ROBOT ENFORCERS
Goldpine's clip was also shared by MAGA-fan Tony Lane on X.
The Las Vegas man said, "Spotted at Walmart: Robot security now patrolling the parking lot. Are we really ready for this future?
"Is this the end of human security guards? Or just the beginning of a new era?
"Thoughts? Ready for robot enforcers?"
One person asked, "Is it loaded?"
TERMINATOR
But another warned, "The Terminator movies will wind up being a documentary."
And one commented, "They will have tasers and guns in future."
Many said they would prefer a person patrolling such areas, with one saying, "Unless there is an incendiary device that needs to be taken care of, I prefer the human touch."
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WALMART RESPONDS
A spokesman for Walmart said, "We’re always looking at new and innovative security technology.
"At this time, we are simply trying out the technology in our parking lot to learn more about it.
"There are currently no long-term plans.”
LOT COP
It's not the first time Walmart has come under fire for using automated objects to replace humans.
Two years ago, The U.S. Sun reported on a Walmart in Kentucky installing a mobile surveillance "lot cop" in the parking lot.
It was part of a wide range of tools to deter crime, including theft.
ARMY OF ROBOTS
The Financial Post reported six years ago how Walmart was introducing an "army of robots in its stores and workers aren't exactly thrilled about it."
The website said examples included an automated self-driving floor scrubber, which replaced janitors in-store.
However, "Freddy" the robot cleaner suffered breakdowns, spooked staff and customers, and kept taking "weird detours from its progammed rounds."
The Post said that Walmart execs had made a "multimillion-dollar bet that advanced robots will optimize operations, cut costs and revolutionize the American superstore."
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It also comes after shoppers have expressed mixed feelings about staff being replaced with self-checkout machines at Walmart.
Last year, The U.S. Sun reported on the retailer using high-tech to offer shoppers interactive maps and digital shelves at its flagship “store of the future.”
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