#Japan #Tokyo #Hanshow #NexMate #Retail Robotics

Redefining Retail Operations: Hanshow's NexMate

In a significant development for the retail sector, Hanshow has announced its latest smart robot solution, NexMate, which aims to revolutionize store operations. This innovative platform combines robotics technology at its core with a unique "Digital Twin Intelligent Platform," substantially integrating the cycle of sensing, decision-making, and execution. By addressing pressing issues faced by retailers, such as increased demands for online order fulfillment, inadequate shelf management, workforce shortages, fragmented data, and stagnating growth, NexMate sets the stage for a new era of digital transformation in retail.

The Need for a New Store Operating System in the AI Era

During the unveiling event, Dong Liang, head of Hanshow's AIoT product line, highlighted the dramatic changes in competition within the retail landscape due to AI advancements. He stated, "Improving store efficiency cannot be achieved merely by increasing personnel or merging different systems together. There is a need for a unified capability layer that accurately understands the physical environment while integrating data and execution. Just like discovering a new continent cannot be done with an outdated map, retailers require new infrastructure equipped with real-time sensing, autonomous decision-making, and complete execution capabilities." He emphasized that robots play an essential role as one of the most critical devices supporting this infrastructure.

Structure of the NexMate Solution: Four Core Capabilities

The NexMate platform represents 10 years of experience in retail digitization research and provides a next-gen infrastructure characterized by four primary capabilities:
1. Task Scheduling: Optimizing priorities for store operations
2. Robot Fleet Management: Efficient centralized control of multiple robots
3. Remote Maintenance: Ensuring stable operations through remote monitoring
4. Advanced Data Analysis: Utilizing on-site data for managerial decisions

Addressing On-Site Needs with Two Innovative Robot Products

NexMate includes two specialized robots addressing current retail demands:

SPatrol: Precision Mobile Sensor for Store Monitoring

• - Equipped with edge AI for on-device analysis, ensuring immediate data processing and security
• - Remarkable巡回 efficiency, capable of full scanning over 500 shelves in just 2 hours, enabling early detection of anomalies
• - Advanced integration with Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) for over 94% accuracy in identifying stockouts and display issues, with future potential for space management and new product monitoring.

SPure: Smart Cleaning Robot Tailored for Retail Environments

• - High-precision navigation powered by multi-sensors, adapting routing dynamically in crowded spaces
• - Automated maintenance through a self-cleaning base coupled with a mobile water tank, significantly reducing upkeep efforts and addressing labor shortages while standardizing cleaning processes.

Three Values Realized through NexMate

1. Significant Improvement in Operational Efficiency: Automating tasks such as restocking and cleaning reduces labor costs while also minimizing stockout losses.
2. Complete Data Looping (Data Intelligence): Robots act as "moving sensors," gathering real-time data that supports data-driven management devoid of reliance on instinctive judgment.
3. Unlocking Growth Potential: By leveraging a digital twin foundation, NexMate facilitates new value creation in areas like in-store marketing, retail media networks (RMN), and optimizing supply chains.

Future Outlook

The launch of NexMate marks a pivotal shift for Hanshow from being a hardware supplier to becoming a strategic partner in the retail space. Dong Liang concluded, "The future of retail competition will not be defined by manpower but by technological capability. The true value of technology lies not in the products themselves but in their ability to resolve challenges. We are committed to co-creating the future of smart retail alongside our ecosystem partners."