SpatialSolutions.ai stars as Zebra Technologies announces winners of inaugural AI Developer Challenge

Zebra Technologies has announced the winners of its inaugural AI Developer Challenge.

In first place is the company’s independent software vendor (ISV) partner, Spatialsolutions.ai with its StoreAi app designed for Zebra mobile computers. The application offers three core features enabled by on-device product recognition capabilities: realogram generation, store navigation, and product picking. It was selected as the first place winner for its business value, ability to overcome real world challenges in retail, and technological innovation.

“Zebra’s on-device AI vision technology is a game changer, minimising both the latency and costs typically associated with cloud-based AI,” says Dr. Pat Narendra, Founder of Spatialsolutions.ai. “This journey has been an exciting blend of tackling real-world business challenges, innovation, and enjoyment. Congratulations to my fellow winners, participants, and the entire Zebra team.”

The second place winner is Zebra ISV partner, SoftServe for its Zebra Eyes and Ears - an AI powered reporting app for public safety professionals.

Zebra ISV partner, Tego, takes third place for its Tego Warehouse Management Solution. It leverages Zebra optical character recognition (OCR), product recognition, and barcode localisation AI models which are integrated into workflows to ensure the seamless, automated handling of inventory from receipt to shipping. This product could offer significant cost reduction, efficiency gains, and error minimisation by automating critical warehouse processes.

The AI Developer Challenge was launched in September last year, with participating developers tasked with creating a functioning AI vision application on a Zebra handheld mobile device. A total of 40 developer partners applied with ten progressing to the final round. All the participants were invited to take part in private community forums and sessions with Zebra engineers and developers throughout the challenge. 

In addition, they were given access to an advanced release of the Zebra AI Suite for Mobile Computers, which will be more widely available to all Zebra’s ISV partners later this year. Final applications had to include at least one Zebra AI model (Shelf and Product Localiser, Barcode Localiser, Product Recogniser, Feature Extractor, OCR/Text Recogniser) and AI Data Capture software developer kit (SDK) which could be combined with other technologies and AI application tools.

“Enabling our developer community to be at the forefront of building AI applications for the frontline is a key area of focus for us, and this challenge has demonstrated how together we can extend the capabilities of Zebra’s mobile computers for our customers across a variety of industries,” says Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer, Zebra Technologies.

“Congratulations to the winners, all the participants, and the Zebra team for taking another important step in how we connect with our community as well as learn and build the future of AI for the frontline.”

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries. 

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September.

This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.

Please email our Editor, Scott Thompson, if you have any questions or need further information: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com

Key 2025 dates

Friday, 18th July: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 22nd July: 2025 finalists revealed

Wednesday, 23rd July - Friday, 8th August: Judging days

Wednesday, 3rd September: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, to be held at The Barbican in Central London.