Zebra Technologies showcased its latest artificial intelligence (AI)-driven hardware, software, and services at NRF 2026.
Notably, the leader in digitizing and automating workflows that deliver intelligent operations launched the new TC501 and TC701 handheld mobile computers, featuring frontline-first AI and greater performance capabilities to enhance worker productivity and decision-making.
These ultra-rugged, AI-native devices feature the industry’s first AMOLED display, providing brighter, more power-efficient visuals at a lighter weight and the industry’s first scan engine with color imaging for faster, more accurate data capture from any surface.
RFID Tablet
Equipped with Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-6690 processors, these next-generation Wi-Fi 7 and 5G devices provide wide-band connectivity and location awareness for the frontline. By leveraging UHF RFID and Impinj Gen2x extensions, the new TC501 and TC701 provide advanced visibility and security of critical data, especially in challenging enterprise environments, according to company officials.
Zebra demonstrated other new and recently released solutions designed to address key retail challenges, including the ET401 Enterprise Tablet. This tablet employs the same Q-6690 processor offers the world’s first enterprise mobile processor with fully integrated RFID capabilities. This enables retail associates to locate items quickly, update stock levels in real time, and minimize out-of-stock scenarios.
Integrating AI on the Retail Floor
With retailers looking to increasingly integrate AI in their everyday workflows, Zebra demonstrated how it is empowering retailers with new solutions that integrate AI, automation, and real-time data capture. Zebra’s 2025 Global Shopper Study reveals that almost 80% of consumers value seamless, connected shopping experiences online and in-store, and 89% of frontline associates say they could serve customers better with access to advanced technology.
“For years, we’ve been embedding AI into our hardware and software, elevating outcomes for our customers and partners,” said Yogesh Kulkarni, Vice President, AI Strategy, Zebra Technologies in a statement. “Our AI-enabled solutions are shaping the future of frontline operations by creating new ways of working. We’re proud to collaborate with our extensive partner community to digitize and automate workflows for our customers.”
Frontline Suite
To meet this demand, Zebra is offering adding to Frontline AI Suite building on the Zebra Companion offered last year. The companion’s knowledge and sales agents over the last year have been deployed by leading retailers to empower associates with on-demand expertise and sales coaching plus procedural and product knowledge through a natural language AI-driven interface.
New this year to the Frontline AI Suite is AI Enablers and AI Blueprints. At the core of Zebra’s AI strategy are its Frontline AI Enablers, a suite of on-device AI models and APIs that empower developers to build enhanced applications. By processing data where it is captured, recognizing products, reading texts, and scanning many barcodes at once, these tools reduce latency, enhance accuracy, and support faster decision-making.
Combining enablers into purpose-built templates that streamline multi-step workflows, Zebra’s Frontline AI Blueprints integrates computer vision, voice recognition, and sensor data with predefined business logic, automating critical workflows such as shelf merchandizing, proof of delivery, material receiving, and voice-guided assistance. Retailers can deploy these templates to reduce errors, improve efficiency, and free up associates to focus on delivering a positive customer experience.