Honeywell Introduces AI-Driven In-Store Personalization
Honeywell, a longtime innovator in safety and software, has unveiled a new in-store experience designed to personalize shopping like never before. In collaboration with Google Cloud and digital product studio 66degrees, the company announced a smart shopping platform that uses artificial intelligence to tailor product recommendations and navigation for each customer inside brick-and-mortar stores. The initiative signals a growing shift in retail: moving data-powered personalization from online to the physical aisle.
A New Era for Retail Tech
The platform combines Honeywell’s hardware and software capabilities with Google Cloud’s AI services to analyze shopper intent, optimize product discovery, and streamline store navigation. By integrating real-time data from cameras, sensors, and loyalty programs, the system aims to reduce friction in the shopping journey and increase conversion rates. Retailers can welcome customers with context-aware guidance, highlight relevant promotions, and offer suggested alternatives based on past behavior and current needs.
Collaboration Across Players
The project draws on the strengths of three partners. Honeywell provides the scalable hardware and edge-computing architecture that runs AI models near the point of interaction. Google Cloud contributes the AI infrastructure, data processing capabilities, and privacy-first foundations to keep shopper data secure. 66degrees brings its experience in design and product engineering to ensure the platform is intuitive for both staff and shoppers. The result is a cohesive system that can be deployed across multiple store formats and geographies.
What Shoppers Can Expect
In practice, customers enter a store and are guided by digital interfaces that understand their preferences. A shopper who frequently buys a particular brand may see personalized shelf recommendations, while someone else might be directed to items that complement a recent purchase. The technology also supports navigation aids, helping customers locate items quickly and reduce time spent wandering the aisles. The combination of personalized messaging and efficient navigation is designed to enhance satisfaction, boost basket size, and build loyalty over time.
Privacy, Security, and Control
As with all AI-enabled retail tools, privacy and security are central concerns. The Honeywell-Google Cloud collaboration emphasizes privacy by design, data minimization, and robust safeguards to ensure that shopper data is used responsibly and transparently. Businesses will have granular control over which data streams are used, how long information is retained, and how insights are surfaced in-store for staff to assist customers more effectively.
Industry Impact and the Road Ahead
Retailers are increasingly testing AI-powered in-store experiences to bridge the gap between online customization and offline immediacy. By enabling real-time personalization at the shelf, stores can create more engaging shopping journeys and compete with the convenience of online marketplaces. Honeywell’s announcement follows a broader trend toward hardware-enabled AI that functions reliably in busy, variable-store environments, where on-device (edge) processing minimizes latency and preserves privacy.
What This Means for Store Teams
Frontline staff gain a powerful ally in the form of predictive insights and context-aware guidance. By understanding shopper intent, associates can tailor their assistance, stock smart promotions, and help customers discover new products with confidence. This technology does not replace human interaction; it augments it by providing timely, data-informed support that elevates the in-store experience.
Conclusion
The Honeywell-Google Cloud collaboration, with the creative input from 66degrees, represents a bold step in bringing AI-powered personalization to the physical storefront. As retailers seek to blend digital intelligence with hands-on service, this platform could redefine how shoppers interact with products, navigate stores, and receive recommendations—opening the door to more intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable shopping experiences in the future.
