PAL Robotics will showcase its StockBot autonomous inventory robot at NRF 2026 in New York, positioning the system as a solution for retailers seeking better accuracy, visibility, and operational control across stores and distribution centres.
StockBot is not a new product – PAL Robotics has developed and deployed the robot for several years – but the company is using Retail’s Big Show to highlight its expanding use cases and the growing demand for automated inventory management.
The system sits in the same category as Simbe Robotics’ Tally and a small number of other inventory-scanning robots designed for retail environments.
StockBot is built around autonomous RFID scanning and real-time mapping, and PAL Robotics says the robot can detect hidden or phantom inventory, locate misplaced items, and feed data directly into existing inventory systems.
According to the company, the robot achieves “near 99 percent RFID read accuracy” and delivers continuous inventory cycles that remove the need for manual stock counts.
In a press release, the company says: “StockBot reveals retailers’ real inventory by autonomously scanning and mapping stock with near 99 percent RFID read accuracy.
“Its continuous, data-rich inventory cycles eliminate manual counts, reduce errors, and integrate instantly with existing inventory management systems, turning complex logistics into clear, actionable insights.”
PAL Robotics plans to demonstrate how StockBot operates across different parts of the retail supply chain. The robot can validate incoming goods at reception points, navigate tight layouts in low-ceiling warehouses, and perform constant scans in large stores and picking centres.
The company says StockBot can address some of the industry’s most persistent challenges, including hidden and phantom inventory, misplaced goods and real-time anomaly detection.
PAL Robotics adds that the system can also support sustainability goals by reducing waste, preventing overproduction, and ensuring existing stock is used before replenishment.
With “up to 12 hours of autonomy, high-performance RFID hardware, 2D lidar, and 3D perception”, the robot is designed for continuous daily operation.
PAL Robotics, founded in 2004 and widely known for its humanoid robots and service-robotics research, says NRF 2026 will be an opportunity to reinforce its long-term commitment to intelligent automation in retail.
In the context of the retail release, PAL Robotics says: “Retail’s Big Show 2026 will highlight how StockBot is shaping a more precise, connected, and agile future for retail operations, one in which the employees focus on what really matters: the people.”
PAL Robotics’ technology is used in logistics, industrial, and research environments globally, and the company has contributed to more than 60 collaborative research projects since its founding.
