AiFi partners with University of San Diego to open autonomous convenience store
Source AiFi
AiFi, a flexible AI platform that enables retailers to affordably deploy autonomous shopping solutions, announced its partnership with the University of San Diego to provide frictionless shopping options to students, staff members, and guests on campus.
AiFi retrofitted the university's existing Smart Market with its camera vision-based technology, allowing students to select which food and drink items they'd like to purchase and walk out without waiting in line or scanning to pay.
The mini convenience store, located within the Knauss Center for Business Education, features entry by scanning a dedicated store app. Items available for purchase include hot and refrigerated prepared meals, coffee and kombucha on tap, as well as packaged snacks and beverages.
"As AiFi continues to expand into more unique spaces, we're excited to provide the University of San Diego community with more convenient shopping options and an enhanced experience," Steve Carlin, CEO at AiFi, said in the announcement. "Fast moving and low contact checkout are exactly what college students, professors, and staff members need. As universities embrace more tech-forward solutions to drive their own digital transformation, we're pleased to partner with them in the direction of innovation."
In 2022, AiFi deployed autonomous shopping at the University of Denver campus, where students reported satisfaction with not having to wait in line or interact with cashiers. AiFi is determined to increase its presence in the university market to meet the needs of shoppers on the go.
"The University of San Diego is constantly looking for new innovative ways to improve efficiencies and provide more services to campus, and frictionless dining is perfect for our community," Andre Mallie, assistant vice president, auxiliary services and resource management at the University of San Diego, added in the announcement. "We were impressed with the flexibility of AiFi's solution and the ability to seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure in the store. Now, folks coming through the Knauss Center for Business Education won't be burdened by long lines or wait times, and we're excited for the future of this technology at our campus."
The implementation of AiFi's technology follows suit to the University of San Diego's consistent efforts to make dining easier on campus through technology. A few years ago, the university introduced GET by CBORD, a mobile app allowing students to order, pay, and schedule a time to pick up food from any dining facility on campus. Additionally, the university partnered with GrubHub three years ago, allowing students to use university campus cash funds for food delivery from nearby restaurants.
AiFi has served over 3.5 million customers and processed over 10 million transactions with its solution. Other industry-leading partnerships include global customers such as Microsoft, Verizon, ALDI, Carrefour, Zabka, Compass Group, Morrisons, Sodexo, Live Nation, NASCAR, the NBA, and the NFL.
