In-store reception robot: Buddy revolutionizes the customer experience at Boulanger
Buddy, the emotional in-store reception robot for the retail sector, is making its debut in six Boulanger stores.
Paris, June 14, 2022. Boulanger, the home furnishings specialist, announces a partnership with Blue Frog Robotics, creator of the French robot Buddy. Those interested can also discover Buddy at the VivaTech trade show, held in Paris from June 15 to 18.
Buddy, a greeting robot to improve the in-store customer experience
This marks the launch of a new generation of innovative, planet-focused products and services. Thanks to the Boulanger chain, which offers them in six of its stores (Englos 59, Aubière 63, Lyon Cordelier 69, Rosny-Sous-Bois 93, Toulon 83, Paris Beaugrenelle 75).
And who better than Buddy to provide a high-tech welcome to customers in Boulanger’s Connected Health and Wellness corner?
In his role as a welcoming and engaging robot, Buddy is dedicated to interacting with customers in a fun and engaging way, sharing a unique experience related to the chain’s new eco-friendly products and services.
With his smile and big, sparkling eyes, Buddy immediately starts a conversation as soon as he detects a customer nearby. The in-store reception robot can then introduce the new products. He explains what they are used for and encourages customers to try the products, while also showing videos or even indicating where these products are located in the store.
Buddy, an interactive robot serving the retail sector
The company considers him a true member of the team. His role is not to replace his human colleagues. He primarily serves as a fun intermediary to Boulanger’s expert advisors. Especially when they are busy with other customers or need to leave the area.
« We offer our customers a unique experience in six stores, each with dedicated Health and Wellness corners. This allows our customers to test, try, and form an opinion on products before making a purchase. For the past five years, we have been developing our range of products and services for people who want to take care of their health and that of their loved ones. Boulanger has supported and assisted the startup Buddy since its inception in 2015, from the crowdfunding platform to the commercial launch of the Buddy robot for our professional clients, which will be possible at the end of 2022.»
Sandrine Bendine, Director of the New Markets Business Unit at Boulanger.
« We are proud that Boulanger has chosen our robot Buddy as an assistant to advise their customers on health and wellness, thereby promoting the new products and services offered by the retailer. Our robot Buddy is a new customer service assistant that informs, entertains, guides, generates foot traffic, and supports sales associates by creating a unique experience. Its empathetic nature and humor will win over even the most reluctant customers.»
Rodolphe HASSELVANDER, Founder of Blue Frog Robotics.
Following this successful initial rollout, the retailer is already planning to deploy Buddy in other stores. As well as distributing the robot for healthcare applications for vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and children with special needs.
A sales robot to guide, welcome and inform your store’s customers.
Blue Frog Robotics, which launched production of thousands of Buddy robots in France in 2021. And already marketing its “Buddy Pro” robot to B2B and B2B2C markets. This include education, inclusion for students with special educational needs, and senior citizens. The company recently announced the deployment of the world’s largest fleet of remote learning robots, following a public contract won to provide 1,750 Buddy robots. This contract is for students unable to attend school due to serious or long-term illnesses who wish to pursue distance learning.
Continuing its development, the company is enhancing the capabilities of its social robot. It now offers innovative assistance for welcoming, informing, and guiding visitors.
Buddy, now a valuable ally for reception and entertainment
Furthermore, Buddy acts as an engaging, autonomous interface capable of evoking emotion. It can answer questions, read barcodes or QR codes, and display promotional content. Buddy also displays a venue’s activity schedule clearly and interactively.
Finally, if necessary, Buddy activates its telepresence mode to connect the visitor to a staff member.
Buddy is a mobile robot that can move autonomously or be remotely controlled by an operator. It is equipped with cameras and a set of sensors that allow it to analyze its environment and avoid obstacles. Buddy then acts as a support for existing staff, relieving them of certain tasks or simply providing a reception service in locations where this service is not currently available. The robot is configured via a simple web interface. This allow users to integrate and modify the messages it sends to visitors: dialogues, news, logos, images, videos, etc. No technical knowledge is required.
A personalized and interactive welcome experience
New features will be available soon. Buddy was designed to evolve over time, thanks to a range of applications and accessories to offer the best to its users. Finally, Buddy is an open platform for developers and solution providers with its Android SDK. This makes Buddy a scalable companion for creating new customer experiences.
Buddy the robot: An innovative solution to boost your in-store customer service
About Blue Frog Robotics
Founded in 2014 by Rodolphe Hasselvander, BLUE FROG ROBOTICS is a pioneering French startup and leader in social robotics, creating “Robots For Good”—benevolent robots capable of improving everyone’s lives, and more specifically, fostering social connections, promoting children’s learning, and providing care and support to our elders. BLUE FROG ROBOTICS is now at the heart of “Tech for Good” with its Buddy robot, made in France, serving education and healthcare sectors, as well as promoting the social integration of vulnerable populations such as elderly people with reduced autonomy or disabilities, hospitalized children, and children with special needs.
More information at bluefrogrobotics.com.
About Boulanger
Boulanger is the specialist in home appliances and multimedia. With 194 stores and 9,000 employees, Boulanger offers its customers the best in new technologies for entertainment and home living, with nearly 25,000 products available in its stores, on the Boulanger app, and on its website boulanger.com.
Boulanger’s mission is to help everyone fully enjoy connected home devices and services by meeting the needs of its residents and transforming every moment of daily life into a moment of togetherness. To foster a sense of “So Good Together,” Boulanger provides its customers with expert advisors, its six own brands, and numerous support services such as one-hour delivery in Paris, next-day delivery throughout France, 7/7 support, installation, troubleshooting, remote or in-home assistance, subscriptions, rentals, and refurbished products.
More information at boulanger.com.
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Garance Costard
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