Amidst the beginning of a new digital age, where new, meaningful technology is becoming more available with every passing day, no devices have profoundly impacted society more than artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT). Both innovative applications provide enterprises with new capabilities, helping optimize processes, improve long-term sustainability, and, overall, reduce costs. These technologies are quickly gaining popularity, permeating every sector, with the retail industry being no exception.

While AI and IoT devices offer a vast array of benefits, the main advantages retail organizations sought out the technology for are in relation to the customer experience (CX). Consumer demands have driven retail enterprises to re-work their CX, as customers now expect a seamless, omnichannel experience that is personalized to their unique situation. Fortunately, both AI and IoT can help retailers achieve a smoother, more enjoyable CX, regardless of the product being sold.

For example, AI-enabled robots can use natural language voice commands or touchscreen interfaces to help customers locate products in the store. Furthermore, AI-driven Augmented Reality fitting rooms let customers test products without physically trying them on, which aids purchase decisions and enhances the customer experience, negating the buy-try-return cycle.

As for IoT, by using low-energy radio transmitter beacons, retailers can provide personalized advertisements and offers for customers. Based on various factors like purchase habits, search history (if the consumer agrees to receive promotional offers), and even location, beacons can help curate personalized recommendations.

Recently, Veea Inc., a leader in integrated smart edge connectivity, communications, and computing for edge and cloud, announced it will be demonstrating the next-gen retail technology developed by TROLLEE, an iFREE company, at the Euroshop Trade Fair in Dusseldorf from February 26-March 2.

TROLLEE P2 is the brand new AI-powered smart shopping cart designed to bring consumers frictionless shopping experiences. Over the last few years, Veea and the TROLLEE team have been collaborating on this breakthrough solution by bringing physical retailers engaging customer experiences and personalized service to build and maintain profitable relationships with their customers.

"This is a revolutionary technology that truly enhances revenue opportunities for the hypermarket retailers. TROLLEE can be fitted to existing shopping cart stock, giving retailers significant cost savings and an immediate rollout that will quickly cover their initial investment," said Soh Wei Hong, CTO of iFREE GROUP. "TROLLEE is driving Martech, Edge AI, Data Intelligence, Smart iOTs, AR Spatial Computing, and Omnichannel to push smart retail technology to the next level."

The TROLLEE solution demonstrator, which will be part of the TROLLEE stand at Euroshop, showcases the potential of the Veea Edge Platform, analytics, and artificial intelligence in transforming the retail customer experience.

The P2 solution makes the shopping experience even more convenient and beneficial to shoppers. It generates valuable data for retailers and the brands they represent on their shelves with next-level sensor fusion and artificial intelligence.

TROLLEE P2 can automatically detect items placed in the cart and recognize them within seconds. 

Built with the concept of modularity, combining standardization and flexibility. TROLLEE P2 has a modular architecture, combining standardization's benefits with retailers' flexibility. This latest major release is more precise, interactive, and more stable than earlier versions. The in-store navigation experience of TROLLEE P2 has been leveled up to deliver a journey that entertains consumers and gives deals on the spot while ensuring shoppers are traceable with highly-accurate locations in real time.

"Retailers win when they consistently deliver exciting experiences to customers while driving sales of products in their physical stores, supporting brands in disruptive new ways," said Allen Salmasi, Founder and CEO, Veea, Inc. "Together with other retail ecosystem members, we are rolling out extraordinary shopping at the intelligent edge with entertaining, engaging digital services that make the shopper's journey better, while generating valuable data and insights to retailers and brands."

Included with TROLLEE demonstrator is Veea's AdEdge solution.

Veea AdEdge is an advertising platform that runs at the network edge on the Veea Edge Platform. It supports "just-in-time" advertising experiences for your customers in retail and out-of-home environments.

• Location-based and prospect-based ad serving
• Local, low latency ad content caching and playout
• Instant, context-based coupon serving
• Local, instant ad conversion attribution
• API for Point-of-sale (POS) integration

TROLLEE trials underway in Southeast Asia, China, and Japan are garnering positive feedback from major retailers. One of the region's largest supermarket chains has been collaborating closely in the development of TROLLEE.

"TROLLEE's new product is light years ahead of less personalized and intelligent in-store interactive shopping options, not only making consumers happier, but leveraging data to bring insights to store operators, the brands they carry, distributors and others along the digital supply chain," continued Salmasi.

The Veea team will be at the Euroshop Trade Fair from February 27-March 2, available for briefings and interviews. Please contact Tom Williams to set up a meeting to learn more and to schedule time with one of Veea's experts.