Redefining Retail Robotics: How Badger Technologies’ Digital Teammate Platform Elevates Store Operations

20 May 2025 | Expert Insight

Emil Martinez on transforming automation with AI, RFID, and customer-facing tech to solve workforce challenges and boost in-store experiences

 

In this exclusive interview with Robotics Business News, Emil Martinez, CEO of Badger Technologies, unveils the company’s new Digital Teammate Platform—a next-gen retail automation solution that goes far beyond traditional robotics. Integrating AI-powered computer vision, RFID-based inventory tracking, and real-time analytics, the platform is designed not just to gather data but to drive action. Martinez shares how this innovation improves safety, enhances operational efficiency, supports compliance, and engages today’s digital-native shoppers—ultimately enabling retailers to do more with fewer resources while delivering a smarter, safer, and more satisfying shopping experience.

 

 

What distinguishes the Digital Teammate Platform from Badger Technologies' previous offerings, and how does it enhance workforce productivity?

Badger Technologies’ latest Digital Teammate Platform is a major step forward in store automation. Where earlier solutions addressed individual challenges like safety or pricing, this new platform takes an integrated, all-in-one approach. It combines real-time computer vision, RFID, AI-powered analytics, and mobile connectivity into a single robotic teammate that supports a wide range of store operations.

Unlike traditional automation tools, this digital teammate doesn't just collect data. It turns data into clear, prioritized actions that associates can address on the spot. That means fewer manual audits, fewer disruptions, and more time for teams to focus on what really matters: serving customers.

How does the integration of RFID technology within the platform improve inventory management and food safety protocols?

RFID adds a powerful layer of precision to inventory control. By reading tagged items across the store, our digital teammate delivers near-perfect inventory accuracy — up to 99.5%. It can also identify expired or misplaced items, support FIFO (First In, First Out) compliance, and monitor product freshness in real time.

Just as importantly, it transforms how inventory is managed on the floor. Stores that previously relied on time-consuming manual counts can now capture accurate, shelf-level inventory data in minutes — cutting inventory counting time by as much as 95%. That translates directly to labor savings, faster restocking, and a more accurate view of what's really available to sell.

When RFID tags with embedded expiration date information are integrated into product packaging, businesses gain powerful capabilities for proactive obsolescence management. RFID tags can also contain sourcing information, such as country of origin, origination plant, and manufacturing date.  Knowing this helps grocers manage Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements more easily and reduce the risk of product recalls. Customers will see a dual benefit: enhanced food safety protocols that protect consumers from potentially harmful expired products and the reduction of costly food waste, which impacts both business profitability and environmental sustainability.

The result? Fewer missed sales, better food safety compliance, and more time for store teams to focus on serving customers.

In what ways does the platform's AI-driven computer vision contribute to hazard detection and pricing accuracy in retail environments?

The platform’s computer vision system was purpose-built for retail. It recognizes floor hazards like spills or debris in real time and instantly alerts store teams — helping prevent slip-and-fall incidents before they happen.

It also verifies that prices on the shelf match those in the system, catching errors with more than 97% accuracy. Whether it’s missing tags, incorrect labels, or misplaced items, the digital teammate flags issues fast and helps stores stay audit-ready every day.

Can you elaborate on how the platform supports planogram compliance and what benefits this brings to retailers?

Planogram compliance is often one of the hardest things to maintain, especially across large store footprints. This platform simplifies that work by scanning shelves and comparing real-time images to the planogram. It catches missing facings, overstocking, or misaligned products and sends alerts with visual evidence.

Fixing these issues improves shelf appeal, protects brand integrity, and helps stores capture every possible sale. It also gives corporate teams the data they need to track compliance across regions and measure performance by store.

How does the customer-facing tablet integrated into the robot enhance the shopping experience, particularly for younger demographics?

The tablet turns the robot into a true in-aisle concierge. Shoppers can use it to find products, get personalized offers, and even interact with fun, branded content. For retailers, it unlocks new opportunities to drive engagement and activate in-store retail media campaigns.

Younger shoppers especially respond well to interactive, screen-based experiences. The tablet allows stores to meet that expectation while capturing data that helps optimize future promotions.

What role does the platform play in addressing labor shortages and optimizing routine tasks within retail operations?

Retailers everywhere are being asked to do more with less. Our digital teammate helps by handling many of the time-consuming, repetitive tasks that take associates away from customers. It automates inventory checks, monitors safety conditions, and verifies pricing — freeing up staff to focus on service and sales.

Even during peak hours or short-staffed shifts, the robot keeps working without breaks, helping stores stay on track and maintain a high standard of execution every day.

How does the Digital Teammate Platform integrate with existing retail media networks to provide advertising capabilities?

The platform was built with media in mind. The integrated screen can display dynamic, location-based content that’s triggered by where the robot is in the store, time of day, or customer interaction.

It collects real-time engagement data, supports A/B testing of content, and feeds insights back into your retail media strategy. For retailers, that means unlocking new revenue streams while enhancing the in-store shopping experience.

What feedback has Badger Technologies received from early adopters regarding the platform's impact on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction?

Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Retailers appreciate how easy the system is to use and how quickly it delivers results. Stores are seeing fewer out-of-stocks, more accurate pricing, and stronger audit performance across the board.

Associates have embraced the teammate model, noting that the robot takes care of the routine tasks they don’t have time for. And customers have responded well too — especially to the robot’s design and interactive features, which make it feel like a helpful part of the team rather than a piece of cold technology.

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