Milestone deployment as VisioLab checkouts go live for Orlando Magic season opener

Last week saw basketball team Orlando Magic open their season against the Miami Heat.

This marked the debut of 43 AI powered VisioLab frictionless self-checkout units in 12 food markets across its Kia Center arena, the company's largest major league deployment so far.

In a LinkedIn post, Tim Niekamp, Co-founder and CEO at VisioLab, said: "With this and our Atlanta Falcons partnership with Wicket, bringing biometric face payments to NFL fans, fans can now find VisioLab: 2× in the NBA; 2× in the NFL; 3× in the NHL; 3× in the MLS; 10× in NCAA venues."

"The team is already working on a few more big announcements before the year ends, stay tuned. Grateful to our team, partners, and clients for making this possible."

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

Frictionless checkouts will be a key focus point at the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by 3D Cloud and EdTech Innovation Hub.

This is now open for entries. Deadline for submissions is Friday, 5th December. It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Check out categories and entry forms here.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.