Unique spaces: University of San Diego taps AiFi tech for new checkout free convenience store
The University of San Diego has retrofitted a Smart Market mini-convenience store located within its Knauss Center for Business Education with AiFi technology.
This allows shoppers to select food and drink items and walk out without waiting in line or scanning to pay.
Customers scan a dedicated store app upon entry to identify themselves.
"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,” says Andre Mallie, Assistant VP, auxiliary services & resource management, at the University of San Diego.
“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."
“As we continue 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,” says Steve Carlin, CEO at AiFi.
“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.”
Record breaker
In June, AiFi announced the opening of an autonomous store within Berlin's Ostbahnhof Deutsche Bahn railway station.
The 24/7 ServiceStore is run by DB Station&Service, operated by SSP Deutschland.
While US-based AiFi has increased its European presence over the past four years, this newest location in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Berlin, is the first one for public customers to launch in Germany.
"Our technology has been helping consumers avoid long queues and reclaim that critical time amid their travels, so that they can move through their days more swiftly and focus their time and attention on things that matter most," says Sander Garnier, New Business and Account Manager, Europe at AiFi.
"We are proud to partner with Deutsche Bahn to bring frictionless technology to shoppers and commuters in Berlin's Ostbahnhof railway station."
Customers can buy cold drinks, coffee, fresh baked goods, convenience products, and the location also features alcohol and tobacco vending machines.
The 436 square foot store enables people to use an app for entry, purchase, and payment. It also features Wanzl galaxy entry gates.
"The new 24/7 ServiceStore represents a milestone in the further development of ServiceStore DB and our customer service," said Martina Köppl, Head of Franchise Management at DB Station&Service.
"From now on, AiFi's technology will let passengers shop completely autonomously around the clock at Berlin's Ostbahnhof. For us, this is a major and important step in the provision of passenger services, which we see as an elementary part of the intermodal travel chain in public transport.”
“In the future, customers will benefit from the unlimited availability of the service and a completely new and time-saving shopping experience."
Recently hitting a milestone of over 100 computer vision powered autonomous stores, AiFi lays claim to the highest number of store deployments globally. It has served over 3.5 million customers, and has processed over 10 million transactions with its solution.
Other partnerships include Microsoft, Verizon, Aldi, Carrefour, Zabka, Compass Group, Morrisons, Sodexo, Live Nation, NASCAR, the NBA, and the NFL.
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