Brain Corp, Driveline launch ShelfOptix robot-powered shelf intelligence service

Brain Corp, an autonomous technology company creating transformative offerings in robotics and AI, and Driveline Retail, one of the largest retail service networks in the U.S., announced the launch of ShelfOptix.

The companies described ShelfOptix as a fully managed service that provides robot-powered shelf intelligence at scale without the cost or complexity of technology ownership.

Sales suffer with a lack of shelf visibility

Retailers and brands alike struggle to understand how and where in-store execution is impacting sales because they lack clear and consistent visibility at the shelf. IHL Services, a global research and advisory firm, reports that out-of-stocks, phantom inventory, zero-sale items and compliance issues cost the retail industry an estimated $1.7 trillion each year.

By collecting and delivering 'ground truth' shelf visibility with greater accuracy, flexibility, and scalability, BrainCorp and Driveline said ShelfOptix enables retailers and brands to improve in-store execution and the effectiveness of their strategies.

"With robot-powered shelf intelligence delivered through the simplicity of a fully managed service, ShelfOptix is making accurate shelf insights more accessible at scale," said David Pinn, CEO of Brain Corp. "This gives retailers and brands the visibility they need to close the reality gap between what systems show and what's truly on the shelf, without having to operate or maintain a single robot. It's a unique service that's precise, packed with insights, and effortless to scale."

Pilots with major U.S. retailers already underway

ShelfOptix is currently in pilot programs with several major retailers, including Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket. In the initial phase, the pilots are focused on helping retailers gain a better understanding of their on-shelf availability (OSA), Direct Store Distribution (DSD) execution and compliance performance.

"You can't fix what you can't see, and in retail, that visibility is the foundation for delivering on our promise to the customer," said Anthony Hucker, chairman and CEO of Southeastern Grocers. "Our pilot with ShelfOptix has already demonstrated how its managed service, powered by robots, can give us a clear, real-time view of what's on our shelves, so we can address issues faster and ensure our customers find what they need, every time they shop. It's about building trust through consistency and delivering the seamless experience our communities deserve."

The companies said that ShelfOptix gives retailers and brands a reliable source of truth for shelf intelligence, while addressing the complexity, cost and labor often associated with collecting data at scale by combining:

• Portable shelf-scanning robots: AI-powered precision and consistency, with a foldable and portable design for easy transport between stores.
• Service-based model: Retailers and brands gain access to high-fidelity shelf insights, without adding operational burden.
• National in-store coverage: A team of 15,000+ field reps can collect and address shelf insights to improve on-shelf availability, ordering, planograms, and pricing compliance.

"For decades, retailers and brands have had to make strategic decisions without a clear view of what's really happening on shelves," said Randy Wilson, CEO of ShelfOptix. "ShelfOptix changes this by delivering a level of visibility the industry has never had before. It's disruptive, it's actionable, and it's why we anticipate thousands of robots deployed in the field by the end of 2026."