Artificial intelligence: Bunnings launches AI assistant Buddy for Kiwi DIYers
Planning a new deck, giving the garden a makeover or looking for the right tool?
Bunnings has launched an artificial intelligence-powered assistant it says can help Kiwi DIYers plan their next project.
Named Buddy, the online tool can answer questions, analyse photos, break jobs into steps and recommend products.
Customers can ask for advice, upload a photo of a space or problem, or photograph a handwritten shopping list for Buddy to interpret.
The assistant can also anticipate what customers may need next as they plan the job.
Bunnings New Zealand general manager Melissa Haines said Buddy was designed to make it easier for customers to get started.
“Kiwis are renowned for rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into home improvement projects and Buddy is designed to make that a little easier,” Haines said.
“Whether you’re planning a weekend project, refreshing the garden or finally tackling the shed clean-out that’s been on the to-do list for months, Buddy provides practical advice, inspiration and product recommendations to help get projects underway.”
She said Bunnings was using artificial intelligence (AI) to complement the advice its staff provided each day.
Buddy is available through the Bunnings New Zealand website and app, following its recent rollout in Australia.
The assistant was built using Google Cloud’s Gemini technology and draws much of its guidance from Bunnings’ existing project and how-to material.
Bunnings said Buddy had guardrails and consent-based interactions intended to ensure the guidance it provided was relevant and responsible.
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