Zebra releases robotic inventory control for stores

SmartSight uses the computer vision, machine learning, workflow automation and robotic capabilities of Zebra’s EMA50 enterprise mobile automation system to identify out-of-stocks, pricing inconsistencies and planogram issues on the shelf. It generates actions to store associates’ mobile computers in near real-time.

SmartSight is said to increases store inventory availability above 95% by autonomously scanning shelves and generating tasks for store associates to restock or update in a timely manner. The solution is also said to allow retailers to reassign an average of 65 labour hours per store per week to higher value assignments that are more focused on engaging shoppers and less focused on managing what’s on the shelf.  

The solution comprises the EMA50 mobile automation system, retail automation software platform and both professional and managed services. SmartSight integrates into existing retail systems, augmenting buy online pickup in store (BOPIS) and buy online deliver from store (BODFS) workflows.

According to Zebra’s most recent Global Shopper Study, 43% of retail associates cited customer complaints about out-of-stocks as their biggest frustration and 39% of shoppers left a store without a purchase because of this problem. Meanwhile, 25% of shoppers reportedly did not complete their purchase because the in-store price did not match the online price, and 15% could not find the correct or discounted price label on the products.