Zebra Technologies Unveils AI-Powered Solutions for Retail Frontline Workers

Zebra Debuts Mobile AI Tool for Frontline Retail Workers | PYMNTS.com

Zebra Technologies has debuted a set of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for frontline retail workers. The company's Zebra Mobile Computing AI Suite, announced Thursday (Jan. 9), comes with an AI data capture software development kit (SDK) and example applications designed for select Zebra Android mobile devices. The company says its AI capabilities allow frontline workers to capture workflow context and integrate that directly to Zebra Companion, a new suite of AI agents -- coming in the second quarter of the year -- specifically designed for retail frontline workers. "For years, we've been embedding AI into our products, elevating outcomes for our customers and partners," Yogesh Kulkarni, Zebra's vice president for AI strategy, said in a news release. "Our AI-enabled solutions are shaping the future of frontline operations by creating new ways of working. We're proud to collaborate with our extensive partner community and customers to enhance our AI and GenAI capabilities to automate workflows, streamline processes and boost efficiency, making work easier every day." According to the release, the suite includes things like a knowledge agent that offers the ability to "conversationally interact" with job aids and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to allow for faster onboarding, giving workers the information they need when they need it. There's also a sales agent that helps with product-related questions, questions about product availability and pricing as well as cross-sell and upsell recommendations for employees during customer interactions. As PYMNTS wrote recently, the use of AI agents in retail was a key development for the sector last year, as these tools began autonomously handling complex operations such as managing supply chains to personalizing customer interactions. These agents functioned as decision-makers, analyzing huge datasets in real time to adjust inventory levels, optimize delivery routes or make product recommendations. "In 2024, AI's role in retail shifted from experimental to essential. While its implementation presented challenges around accuracy, privacy and ethics, efficiency, engagement and innovation, its benefits were undeniable," that report said. "As the industry looks ahead to 2025, AI will likely continue to evolve, further transforming how retailers operate and connect with customers." Zebra last year formed a partnership with Google Cloud, Android and Qualcomm centered around the use of generative AI to improve employee productivity. The tool born from this partnership lets front-line employees such as back-office staff and store associates use a "chat experience from a handheld device" to get information to answer questions and prompts.

Zebra Technologies Introduces New AI Solutions to Empower Retail Frontline Operations By Investing.com

Company will showcase an AI-powered Modern Store experience at NRF together with some top retailers and a robust ecosystem of solutions partners LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, today announced several new products and AI innovations for the retail industry. Zebra's solutions will be showcased in booth #3303 as part of Zebra's AI-powered Modern Store at NRF 2025 Retail's Big Show on Jan. 12-14, 2025, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. Zebra is unveiling the Zebra Mobile Computing AI Suite, a comprehensive set of tools that includes an AI data capture software development kit (SDK) and example applications optimized for select Zebra Android mobile devices. This suite facilitates the development of AI applications, enabling customers, developers, and independent software vendors (ISV) to easily integrate cutting-edge vision AI capabilities into their mobile applications. Zebra has leveraged these AI capabilities to enable frontline workers to easily, accurately and quickly capture workflow context and integrate that directly to Zebra Companion, a new and comprehensive suite of AI agents specifically designed to empower retail frontline workers. This multimodal generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) solution is being developed in collaboration with select customers to work with frontline retail workers to improve productivity and elevate the customer experience. Zebra Companion provides frontline workers instant access to critical information and troubleshooting assistance as they prioritize and execute routine and issue-prompted tasks. Zebra is committed to customers' data privacy and ethical AI practices to ensure the secure and responsible use of AI technology. Zebra Companion is available starting in the second quarter of 2025 to select customers and requires admission to our early access pilot program. The suite includes: Zebra developed the Merchandising agent as a co-innovation project to help a customer explore how associate and customer experiences can be elevated, and visitors to Zebra's NRF booth will see the capabilities of the Merchandising agent in action. In the future, Zebra partners, ISVs and developers will be able to deploy agents of their own to interface with Zebra Companion to deliver a common multi-modal user interface to frontline workers on Zebra's industry-leading solution platform. For years, we've been embedding AI into our products, elevating outcomes for our customers and partners, said Yogesh Kulkarni, Vice President, AI Strategy, Zebra Technologies. Our AI-enabled solutions are shaping the future of frontline operations by creating new ways of working. We're proud to collaborate with our extensive partner community and customers to enhance our AI and GenAI capabilities to automate workflows, streamline processes and boost efficiency, making work easier every day. In Zebra's 17th Annual Global Shopper Study, 71% of shoppers expressed concern about the lack of help they received from store associates. However, almost 90% of associates believe they can provide a better customer experience when they have mobile technology tools to help simplify real-time communication and prioritize tasks. This is a primary reason why Zebra is demonstrating new technology at NRF that will enable retailers to extend AI capabilities to frontline workflows and decision-making. In addition to the Mobile Computing AI Suite and Zebra Companion, Zebra is introducing several other solutions aimed at transforming retail operations including: Zebra Workcloud Sync: Frontline (NYSE:FRO) teams can leverage numerous robust communication features in a single application to collaborate better and improve productivity in stores. Workcloud Sync allows team members to connect one-on-one or in a group with colleagues and customers in their preferred language via push-to-talk, Wi-Fi voice and video calling, multimedia messaging, to-dos, and forums. Frontline workers can also access AI capabilities in Workcloud Sync via Zebra Companion's Knowledge agent. Zebra Dimensioning Mobile Parcel: This software solution enables 'one-shot' dimensioning of most parcels in under five seconds. The camera and time of flight sensor in select Zebra mobile computers work together with AI and Zebra's proprietary algorithms to virtually reconstruct and measure cubed and irregularly shaped items. This helps retail associates speed up the process of preparing items for shipment. Zebra EM45 RFID Enterprise Mobile: Mobile computing and precision-RFID read capabilities come together in this smartphone-like device that can be individually assigned. Featuring an AI-ready platform with Zebra DNA, the EM45 offers a modern user experience and privacy without compromising security. As a result, customers can put the power of Zebra in their pockets, removing the need to carry multiple devices to assist colleagues or customers, monitor operational performance, or optimize inventory. Zebra MC3400 and MC3450 mobile computers: These devices are available in two form factors that can be configured for retail use cases including front-of-store restocking, back-of-store inventory management and faster ecommerce order fulfillment. Zebra Kiosk System: This highly flexible, modular solution can be configured in different ways to give shoppers more self-service options and help retailers generate new revenue streams. Peripherals can be added to this interactive system to turn it into a loyalty signup, self-checkout, returns, deli ordering, or check-in station for shoppers or a digital signage solution for highly targeted retail media networks. Join Zebra and two of its leading retail customers as they share their transformation stories at NRF's Big Idea Sessions: Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides the tools to help businesses grow with asset visibility, connected frontline workers and intelligent automation. The company operates in more than 100 countries, and our customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Designed for the frontline, Zebra's award-winning portfolio includes hardware, software, and services, all backed by our 50+ years of innovation and global partner ecosystem. Follow Zebra on our blog and LinkedIn, visit our newsroom and learn more at www.zebra.com. ZEBRA and the stylized Zebra head are trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 Zebra Technologies Corp. and/or its affiliates.