NRF 2026 Recap: Powering the Store of the Future with MediaTek

    NRF 2026 Recap: Powering the Store of the Future with MediaTek

    Author: Sameer Sharma, AVP of the IOT BU (Americas & Europe)

    NRF is the hallmark event for the retail sector, defining the technology and trends driving the industry forward. MediaTek was at the center of it all at this year’s show, where we showcased 35+ demos that highlighted how our IoT platforms help retailers and OEMs become more efficient. We also had customers and partners showcase our solutions in their respective booths. With MediaTek’s technology, retailers can elevate customer interactions and increase revenue, while reducing operating costs. Read on to find out more.

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    Taking a Step Forward

    At the show, we unveiled MediaTek’s new high-performance, efficient IoT platform combining 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and remarkable edge AI and multimedia capabilities. Leveraging an octa-core Armv9 CPU and an embedded MediaTek NPU to support generative AI capabilities, this new platform is ideal for a wide range of retail IoT solutions, from digital signage and point-of-sale systems to automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) applications and table-service kiosks.

    A Comprehensive Portfolio for Modern Retail

    Retail and commerce are evolving faster than ever, requiring platforms that have the latest AI, connectivity, and multimedia capabilities with the scalability that retailers need to grow their operations and move quickly. In-store commerce is one area seeing a significant shift as retailers aim to deliver more personalized and interactive experiences for consumers.  

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    At NRF 2026, MediaTek showed off a variety of demonstrations powered by our IoT portfolio that illustrated how we are helping companies power these next-generation retail experiences. Our IoT solutions include our high-performance MediaTek Genio SoCs, modem-based IoT solutions, and display-centric SoCs. We also have extensive developer resources, including the Genio Developer Center and MediaTek NeuroPilot, to accelerate the development of IoT applications. Our NeuroPilot SDK even includes support for NVIDIA TAO so developers can optimize and deploy the latest AI models on edge devices.

    Notable Technology Demonstrations

    Key demonstrations from NRF 2026 showcasing MediaTek’s partner ecosystem and footprint included:

    • Posiflex Self-Service AI Kiosk (Powered by MediaTek Genio 700)

      • AI-enabled solutions for kiosks, bringing AI-powered product recognition through embedded cameras to identify items, supporting both barcode scanning and hands-free scanning for untagged items. By using the AI vision systems, retailers can reduce errors and improve efficiency.

    • Lenovo Instorescreen AI POS (Powered by MediaTek Genio 700)

      • High-performance desktop POS system designed for modern retail environments. Blending sleek design with functionality, this system enhances customer engagement and the overall shopping experience. This solution also enables easy access to in-store analytics, helping retailers make more informed decisions in real-time.

    • Fibocom Retail AI Agent (Powered by MediaTek Genio 720)

      • Generative AI enabled solution for retail, supporting efficient, real-time LLM and transformer inference thanks to MediaTek’s 8th gen NPU. With this agent, retailers can intuitively answer customers’ questions and improve engagement.

    • MediaTek, IAdea, and Microsoft’s Digital Signage Solution (Powered by MediaTek Genio 720)

      • This is the world’s first digital signage solution running on the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP). With an enterprise-grade, cloud-governed, and AI-ready display infrastructure, this solution is ideal for 24/7 commercial environments.

    Throughout NRF 2026, MediaTek had many conversations about how AI will change the retail landscape. In a panel that MediaTek’s Sameer Sharma participated in with Chris Edwards, director global retail platforms of Circle K, and Erik Vlugt, chief product officer of Ingenico, one of the key topics was how retailers can use AI to enhance customer experiences. They discussed how AI helps retailers handle repetitive tasks, improve on-shelf accuracy, and surface insights instantly. By removing friction and enabling more personalized engagement, AI is helping retailers to create more meaningful customer interactions and strengthen customer loyalty.

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    To learn more about MediaTek’s solutions for smart retail, check out our Retail Tech Guide.