#Japan #Tokyo #AI Platform #Hanshow #xPilot

Hanshow's AI-Powered Platform: xPilot

Hanshow has officially launched xPilot during NRF APAC 2026, a groundbreaking platform designed for real-time intelligent execution in retail stores. This innovative tool sets itself apart from traditional dashboards and task management systems by integrating AI at its core. Through a digital twin foundation, xPilot collects and analyzes operational data from stores in real-time, facilitating not only the visualization of scenarios but also enabling automatic decision-making, execution commands, and outcome verification. This capability allows retail operators to evolve their operational models from merely 'grasping' store conditions to 'promptly acting' based on those insights.

Maximizing the Value of Store AI

One reason for the rapid advancement of AI in online retail is the structured and real-time data collection of customer behavior, such as clicks and views. Conversely, physical stores have had to rely on manual checks for shelf conditions for years, leading to numerous challenges in real-time data gathering including data gaps and delays. This often results in the implementation of advanced AI falling short and only being used for retrospective analysis rather than facilitating real-time operational improvements.

Hanshow addresses this issue through a unique approach tailored to the retail sector. With years of experience, the company deploys various smart devices within stores to accurately capture data related to 'people, products, display areas, and equipment' in real-time. By integrating this data, they create an intelligent sensing network covering the entire store, offering retailers a robust foundation for data utilization at both the system and ecosystem levels. This comprehensive data framework is essential for effectively harnessing AI within physical retail environments.

The xPilot Real-Time Execution Platform

xPilot amalgamates specialized analytical models specifically optimized for the retail industry, providing support throughout the 'recognition, judgment, execution, and verification' process. Rather than replacing existing systems, it serves as an 'intelligent core' that underpins the entire store operation. By managing various operational data both inside and outside the store, it coordinates and promotes execution tasks, delivering new value to store staff, managers, headquarters personnel, and supply chain partners alike. This integrated management fosters swift decision-making and execution across departments and organizations, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.

Real-Time 3D Digital Twins

One of xPilot's first innovations is the creation of a 'real-time 3D digital twin' using its high-precision data foundation. The system reconstructs information from shelves, equipment, and staff in a 3D environment, providing comprehensive visibility of the store's status. When issues such as stock-outs, display deficiencies, or communication failures with electronic shelf labels (ESLs) arise, they are automatically detected and highlighted on the 3D map, prompting alerts. This gives managers intuitive insights into the store’s overall condition and allows for real-time monitoring of task assignments and progress. By integrating sales data and heatmap analyses, xPilot also visualizes areas with low visitor traffic and operational imbalances, assisting in staff allocation and task optimization. Staff receive a task list generated based on priority on their mobile app, complete with 3D navigation, expediting the process from detection to resolution and facilitating seamless store operations without relying on verbal or paper-based instructions.

Retail Business Analytics AI Agent

Dynamic decision-making transitions from analysis to execution through xPilot’s AI decision-making engine optimized for the retail sector. Combining specialized AI models with large language models (LLMs), xPilot features a hybrid architecture that intuitively merges data analysis with a conversational interface. The proprietary AI model leverages Hanshow's extensive knowledge in store digitization and real-time data, performing precise analyses like displaying optimal product arrangements, detecting stock-outs, and diagnostic evaluations of sales performance. Conversely, the LLM enables users to interact with the system through natural language, eliminating the cumbersome need to decode complex reports or analytical screens. For instance, asking “What factors have caused a decline in sales for Brand A's beverages compared to last year?” allows the AI agent to cross-analyze relevant data regarding stock levels, display conditions, promotional strategies, and competitive pricing, identifying key reasons and automatically suggesting actionable responses for effective decision-making.

Smart Task Management and Execution Verification

A common challenge for many retail companies lies in ensuring that operational procedures and rules are reliably implemented at the ground level. The task engine in xPilot auto-prioritizes tasks based on their impact on operations. For example, if there's a significant loss of sales opportunities due to stock-outs or high-impact sales issues, it generates these tasks immediately as high priority, prompting quick action. By factoring in employees' current locations and workload when automatically assigning tasks, xPilot minimizes unnecessary movements and task discrepancies. A distinguished feature of xPilot is its automated execution verification. It connects with smart devices like ESLs, AI cameras, and IoT devices, enabling the system to automatically confirm task completion and quality. Unfulfilled tasks that do not meet established standards are subjected to automatic escalation, ensuring accountability and further reallocation as necessary. This creates a seamless operational process that covers 'execution to verification,' empowering reliable implementation of business processes.

Coexisting Value Creation with Existing Systems

Hanshow respects the system assets and technology strategies established by retailers, having adopted an open architecture from the start of xPilot’s design. This enables seamless integrations across diverse cloud environments, data sources, and networks, accommodating connections with major LLMs and diverse IoT devices. Moreover, the modular implementation approach allows retailers to introduce xPilot incrementally according to their operational requirements and digital advancement, enabling swift operational commencement without major overhauls of existing systems.

Hanshow's value extends beyond just the xPilot platform. It encompasses a suite of smart devices like NexShelf smart shelves, NexConnect smart shopping carts, NexMate smart robots, and NexOptim solutions for digitizing store equipment, along with integrated data analytics models and business execution applications. By blending retail-optimized analytical models with versatile LLMs, xPilot achieves high analytical accuracy and practical applicability in real-store operations. When compared to approaches reliant on a single AI model, this dual-model strategy further enhances decision-making and operational execution.

Supporting the Next Evolution in Retail

Retail's digital transformation traditionally focused on data gathering and visualization. However, the ability to swiftly and accurately execute insights will become a key differentiator in competitive advantage. Hanshow's xPilot offers retailers a practical, scalable new approach, combining real-time, high-precision data with AI-driven analysis and execution assistance. This empowers stores to gain immediate awareness of their environments, make autonomous judgments, and swiftly take action, evolving their operational models accordingly.

The result is a leaner, more effective management process that allows retail leaders to shift their focus from daily checking tasks to strategic planning and enhancing customer experiences. The future transformation of retail lies not only in visualization but also in quick decision-making and action initiated from data. Hanshow will continue to contribute to sustainable growth and value creation within the retail sector through innovative solutions that merge real-time data, AI, and IoT technologies.