INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The new Digital Teammate is designed to work with store associates
Source: Badger TechnologiesBadger Technologies LLC last month launched its Digital Teammate platform, which includes its autonomous mobile
The company said its multipurpose robots can enhance employee productivity at retail stores.“Badger Technologies’ robots seamlessly
integrate computer vision and artificial intelligence to work as a digital teammate alongside employees in complex environments,” stated
Emil Martinez, CEO of Badger Technologies
“These robots can extend staff operations and produce critical data that increase efficiencies and improve shopping experiences, creating
long-lasting value for our customers.”The Digital Teammate is designed to help people be more productive, not to replace workers, he
told The Robot Report.“It’s not any different than a typewriter,” Martinez said
“This can help ensure more human interactions.”Founded in 2002, Badger Technologies said its systems automate hazard detection, monitor
inventory, and provide data to improve product availability on shelves
The AMRs also support price integrity, store profitability, and shopping experiences, said the Nicholasville, Ky.-based division of leading
technology provider Jabil Inc.Digital Teammate increases retail visibilityDigital Teammate combines hardware and software to support a
business’ existing workforce with improved inventory management capabilities, planogram compliance, hazard detection, pricing accuracy,
and security monitoring, said Badger Technologies
The robot is designed to complement the company’s existing systems by incorporating RFID detection, enabling advertising through retail
media networks, and expanding Badger’s data and analytics platform.Badger added that a mobile app provides access to prioritized tasks,
data, and insights to everyone from associates on the shop floor to member of the C suite.“Twelve months ago, we talked with Jabil
We already capture information and surface it through APIs, portals, and other tools, so why don’t we use it?” recalled Martinez
“That spurred a conversation about meeting the industry where it lives
As data has exploded, we can either infuse it into what retail users are doing, or we’d have to make them all into analysts.”With an
integrated, multimodal robot, Badger can help retailers “triangulate” data by comparing what’s expected in the store with the actual
inventory on the shelf, he added.“Badger is known as a robot company, but in the eyes of a retailer of customer, what we collect and how
they might use it can supercharge what they’re already doing,” Martinez said
We started thinking about it from a persona-based process
How do tasks get done? People handle aisles, departments, stores, and districts
The robots can pick up hazards, misplaced items, pricing, displays, and inventory with RFID.”Badger has refined its next-gen robot for
Source: Badger TechnologiesRobot ready for rapid RFID adoptionRFID (radio frequency identification) can significantly improve accuracy and
efficiency, with the ability to scan a stack of items at once rather than individually as with a scan gun, noted Badger
The company said its latest release is ready for the rapid adoption of RFID tags.When such tags with expiration date information are
integrated into product packaging, businesses can proactively manage obsolete or expired inventory
Not only does this protect consumers from potentially harmful expired food products, but this can also reduce costly waste and improve
environmental sustainability, Badger said.In addition to its new retail media display capabilities, the robot’s integrated customer-facing
tablet can serve as an interactive guide, providing personalized assistance — such as directions to product locations or other
site-specific guidance — and customized offers.Badger said the convenience factor is resonating with consumers, particularly younger ones
who prefer technology-enabled shopping experiences
It cited a 2024 retail innovation survey that found that 63% of Gen Z and millennial shoppers reported positive interactions with robots,
appreciating their efficiency and novelty.“The value proposition for robotics is at an industry inflection point right now,” said
“We’re opening a ‘robot college’ in Nicholasville, where the robot will operate side by side with human associates, who’ll be
happy not to do mundane tasks but can do more engaging, high-value tasks.”Save now with early bird discountBadger Technologies works to
optimize operationsAMRs are optimizing operations, as businesses increasingly deploy them to address labor shortages, enhance customer
experiences, and perform routine tasks, said Badger Technologies.The company claimed that its robots can scan shelves autonomously to
identify out-of-stock items and pricing inconsistencies with greater accuracy than human counterparts
For instance, at a leading hardware retailer, Badger said its technology has not only enhanced labor productivity but also improved
inventory accuracy by more than 97%, having a direct effect on sales.“The Digital Teammate feeds also feeds information about operations
across stores,” said Martinez
“These cross metrics can help with training and labor optimization.”“We see ourselves as a Swiss Army Knife rather than as a
one-size-fits-all solution,” he asserted
“Partners are wrapping branding skin on our robots, and its screen could be used for targeted advertising based on the aisle it’s in
Since the robot know where everything is, it can be a full-service assistant to shoppers.”Badger said it has deployed more than 1,000
robots that have traveled safely for more than 30 million miles at leading grocery, hardware, and home improvement retailers across the U.S
The company said it expects the Digital Teammate to be available this summer.The post Digital Teammate from Badger Technologies uses
multipurpose robots appeared first on The Robot Report.
