Prototype system uses Badger Technologies® autonomous robots with RFID readers to wirelessly update
prices on Powercast’s batteryless ESLs throughout a store, creating an automatic retail price changing
system that eliminates battery replacement and reduces e-waste
Pittsburgh, PA – October 13, 2021 – Powercast, the established leader in radio frequency (RF) wireless
power, was named honored as a Finalist in the RFID Journal LIVE! Awards at the RFID Journal LIVE! Show,
held in Phoenix recently, for a prototype Robotic RFID Reader and Batteryless Immortal ESL Autonomous
Price Changing System. This all-in-one robotic price-changing system is intended to save retailers time,
money and batteries, and was developed in collaboration with Badger Technologies, a product division of
Jabil Inc. (NYSE: JBL) and leader in retail automation. The two companies aim to display the prototype
system for the first time at CES 2022.
The system is unique in several ways. Robots on the market today can search for out-of-stock items and
check prices, but do not update prices electronically in real time without requiring someone to physically
change prices on the shelf. Pairing Powercast’s batteryless electronic shelf labels (ESLs) with Badger
Technologies’ autonomous robots enables the back office to manage real-time electronic updates while
eliminating problems associated with the industry’s battery-powered ESLs, including labor-intensive
battery replacement and disposal.
How the technology works:
Powercast’s ESLs do not need batteries because the company’s RF-to-direct current (DC) power
harvesting technology can harvest enough power to operate perpetually from industry-standard RFID
readers. In this system, RFID readers installed on the robots send RF power over the air as they roam by
the ESLs to Powercast’s embedded receiver chips. These chips convert the RF to usable DC power to
wirelessly update the ESL’s ePaper displays with new prices in seconds. The ePaper display continues to
display that price even when it’s not being directly powered by an RFID reader. Using Lidar to detect and
safely avoid people, the robots can travel a store 24/7 for a completely autonomous price checking and
changing system.
“There are no autonomous, batteryless systems like this on the market,” said Charles Goetz, CEO of
Powercast. “Retailers will have greater control over their pricing, will create a better experience for their
customers, and could save millions of batteries from going into landfills every year.”
Retailers experienced some of the biggest job losses during the pandemic and persistent labor shortages
continue to impact store operations. Leading retail automation solutions are ideally suited to augment
staff resources to improve shopping experiences and store profitability. “Our in-store, multipurpose
robots monitor product availability, deliver precise product location data as well as collect and share
other valuable data from the retail floor,” said William “BJ” Santiago, CEO of Badger Technologies. “The
ability to help retailers implement an energy-efficient, autonomous price-changing system takes customer
service and operational efficiency to the next level.”
To date, more than 500 Badger Technologies autonomous robots have been deployed throughout the
United States, Australia and New Zealand while multiple pilot deployments are currently underway.
Powercast’s technology touches millions of users across more than 15 industries, including automotive,
consumer electronics, IoT, entertainment, retail, RFID and sensors.
About Powercast
Powercast is the established leader in RF wireless power. Since its founding in 2003, Powercast has led the
industry in RF wireless power innovations and applications that meet FCC and other global standards.
Powercast’s wireless power technologies eliminate or reduce the need for wires and batteries, working at
distances up to 80 feet. With millions of units shipped, Powercast is led by a team with deep expertise in
design, engineering, and prototyping, and with extensive commercial success in both industrial and
consumer applications. With more than 100 customers and partner companies around the world,
Powercast leads the RF wireless power market with 63 early and fundamental patents worldwide and 34
patents pending.
Powercast, which develops radio frequency (RF) wireless power technologies, has announced it will showcase an array of new batteryless products at CES 2022 that feature its RF long-range over-the-air wireless power technology. One of these applications includes an all-in-one robotic price-changing system for retailers.
