Walmart will roll out 360 robotic cleaners across the US that will clean its stores and collect data in the process.

The robots are powered by Brain Corp, a San Diego-based technology company that has partnered with Walmart.

The floor scrubbers use sensors that can perceive the surrounding environment. The robot maps out different routes it can follow inside the store and scans its surroundings for people and obstacles, meaning it can operate in crowded stores.

Its sensors allow the robots to collect useful analytical data, which could provide Walmart with information about peak shopping hours or “which shelves are empty”, a spokesman told NBC News.

Walmart vice president of central operations John Crecelius said: “We’re excited to work with Brain Corp in supporting our retail operations and providing our associates with a safe and reliable technology.

“BrainOS is a powerful tool in helping our associates complete repetitive tasks so they can focus on other tasks within their roles and spend more time serving customers.”