Imagine walking into a store and interacting with a robot that helps you quickly and easily identify the product you want to purchase, matches the product specifications with information from your past purchases, checks its availability against in-store inventory, helps you place an online order if it’s out of stock, and even connects you to a live customer service agent if you have complex questions. You don’t have to only imagine it – that’s Retail 4.0. Retail 4.0 is the term used to describe retail in the new, constantly connected, data-driven era that traverses online, offline, and even emerging experiences such as augmented reality and virtual reality. A lot of new retail automation technology is being developed to improve the customer’s experience, while also cutting business costs. For example, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) seeks to maximize efficiencies in retail by replacing repetitive and costly process-driven tasks such as logistics, customer support, returns processing and warehouse management with robotics solutions. In turn, this frees human workers to focus their time and effort where they can make a bigger impact with quality customer service. Will automation replace people, though? The truth, according to a study from Gartner, is that job creation due to automation will outpace displacement at a pace of almost 1.3x. It’s clear that automation and artificial intelligence have transformative effects not just on the economy as a whole, but specifically on the retail industry in terms of productivity and profitability. This combination of RPA and highly optimized human efficiency is how brands will succeed in a Retail 4.0 world. The Rise of Retail 4.0 Features of Retail 4.0 include emphasis on customer-centric design (including store layouts, digital and physical interfaces, and virtually anything that impacts customer experience), smart technology, heavily data-centric business initiatives, and improved business-to-customer interaction. Retail 4.0 describes the new wave of automation processes and technology (enterprise automation, RPA, etc.) that are currently being deployed by the retail industry. With recent developments like the proliferation of AI, cloud technology, big data and business intelligence, Retail 4.0 is well positioned to usher in an unprecedented transformation of the retail sector. And with new advancements in robotics, hardware is being programmed to provide valuable service and support to customers, as well as other business operations. Cruzr, the Intelligent Service Robot Robotics hardware and artificial intelligence are inherently dynamic. In addition to performing complex calculations more quickly than a human, robots (like humans) must be able to detect and respond to their environment – which could involve mobilization and movement, as well as gripping, carrying or otherwise manipulating external items. All of this is especially useful in retail business operations. As this technology continues to advance, retailers worldwide are competing to leverage the power of robotics. In many cases, adoption is saving these businesses time and money. As a new technological revolution ensues, businesses must re-evaluate how to invest in resources that generate as much value as possible. Automation will largely redefine the value placed on certain skills and create new higher-level roles for professionals in the retail industry. UBTECH’s Cruzr robot is a good example of Retail 4.0 technologies converging into one user-friendly solution. This robot is equipped with flexible arms for dexterity, video and communication features, mobility and navigation, and much more. It is on the forefront of internet of things (IoT) innovation for the retail sector. Cruzr uses a proprietary version of SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) called U-SLAM which helps the robot orient itself within its environment. Using a sophisticated set of sensors to map out its surroundings, with omni-directional wheels that can instantly turn in any direction, Cruzr can easily be configured to move around fluidly on any sales floor. Big data fuels the smart technology that enables Cruzr with enterprise-ready impressive features. The robot collects, stores and analyzes data to improve value chain management at virtually every level. It learns very quickly and uses data to make the best decisions possible to optimize business efficiency. Cruzr also has advanced visual capabilities to help it detect customers’ moods and emotions and respond with a solution right away. Other powerful features include facial recognition for security measures and audio-video conferencing to create personalized shopping experiences. The cloud-enabled media conferencing feature is equipped with high definition audio and video, which can drastically improve the quality of both internal company meetings as well as retail customer service. Cruzr comes with a software development kit (SDK), which contains development tools (such as code libraries and documentation) that enable on-site developers and engineers to customize the robot and seamlessly integrate it into a facility. It also includes a centralized control system with an easy-to-use dashboard, electronic sensor protection to maneauver around people and objects in its directional path, and many more features. Cruzr also features human interaction capabilities, such as handshaking, greeting and even dancing. Cruzr is equipped with 17 servos, allowing it to automatically learn from any errors and avoid them afterward. And when its power is low, the Cruzr can automatically return for docking or recharging. The Cruzr robot is able to centralize many different tasks into one single solution for retail operations. It is intelligent and customizable, with a broad range of features that will likely become standard in Retail 4.0. Robots for Your Retail 4.0 Business Retail 4.0 is the next revolution in retail. Automation, robotics, big data, IoT and user-centered design are all playing significant roles in this stage of development for the retail industry. It will transform the entire business in ways that seem almost like science fiction. But the business advantages behind this transformation are clear, as the long-term benefits of this new technology are proven. If you own, operate, or manage a retail business, now is a good time to assess how to improve customer experience as well as cost efficiency. Can RPA help optimize your business and save money? For more information, contact UBTECH at cruzr.info@ubtrobot.com and learn how Cruzr can help your business transition into the new era of Retail 4.0. Also sign up on the Cruzr page for the latest product news!
