The Innovation Exchange is a highlight of the annual International Council of Shopping Centers RECon. The latest tech developments on display are what the Washington Post calls the “future of retail.” We’d like to highlight some exhibitors from the Innovation Exchange that we found have implications beyond retail.

#1- Robotics

Two different companies showcased the latest in robotics for real estate. Accel Robotics pitched a world where robotic shopping assistants enable grab-and-dash commerce. The robots would help deliver better services for customers. The brand has additional applications for co-working spaces, hospitality, airports, and entertainment venues. Knightscope deploys robots to deter crime. Its autonomous physical security solution gathers data from the environment which is monitored through a user interface. For instance, its stationary K1 machine will soon have weapon-detecting capabilities, whereas the roving K7 will help security teams cover more territory. It’s not replacing human security, but enhancing what we can do.

#2- Better Customer Experiences

RetailNext pitched a vertical IoT integrated platforms for physical locations. It’s purpose: optimize the shopper’s experience. Its compact Aurora IoT sensor picks up more than just a shopper’s path through the store. It can deliver personalized recommendations and content offers based on that shopper’s in-store activity. RetailNext’s IoT finds traffic cycles for optimal staffing, identifies where customers visit, and who is a repeat customer.

#3- Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics is everywhere! Retail is not excluded. Product-intelligence platform Trendalytics uses data to predict what shoppers want today and will likely want tomorrow. Businesses can increase sales by jumping onto trends early and not after the fact. Trendalytics’ platform reveals pricing across products, departments, and brands. Optimize marketing campaigns based on regionalized shopping patterns and drives more product conversion with informed data.

#4- Artificial Intelligence

Truss uses an artificial intelligence tool, called Vera, to pinpoint the right spaces that match the needs and budget of small-to-medium-sized businesses. The leasing estimate includes all-in pricing for instant comparison. Virtual tours quickly eliminate contenders, letting businesses focus on real prospects. In short, businesses own the leasing process using Truss’ smart tools.

#5- Virtual Reality

Tour spaces in an immersive environment using the walk-through tours created by VirtualAPT. Their proprietary technology combines robotics with 4K-quality visualization. The web-based content is viewable by audiences across the globe and on multiple devices. VirtualAPT works with all commercial real estate industry spaces to advertise and market available properties.