The winners will be honored during an awards presentation on Dec. 10 during the upcoming 2024 Automation and Self Service Summit.
One purpose of the Self-Service Innovation Summit is to recognize products and technology innovation contributing to the dynamic industry. Hence, a key event at the summit is the Automation & Self-Service Awards, formerly known as the Self-Service Innovation Awards.
Now in its fifth year, the Self-Service Innovation Summit will explore cutting-edge technologies that empower businesses to meet consumer expectations for products and services anytime and anywhere. The Self-Service Innovation Summit explores a wide range of self-service solutions, including kiosks, vending and mobile applications, applicable across various settings such as airports, arenas, banks, healthcare facilities and retail environments. Attendees can expect discussions on innovations like AI-assisted self-service tech, self-checkout systems and automated merchandising, among others. Join industry leaders and innovators to discover the future of self-service solutions. Register now to secure your spot!
The winners will be honored during an awards presentation on Dec. 10, when the summit honors the most innovative solutions for kiosks, vending and the use of artificial intelligence.
The nominations were submitted between August and October. A panel of judges reviewed the nominations and selected winners in seven categories: Best Use of AI, Vending, Kiosk, Robotics, Responsible Automation and Influencer of the Year.
Here are the finalists:
Best use of AI
SoundHound AI’s Employee Assist
Employee Assist is a category-defining voice AI technology that allows restaurant employees from both the front and back of the house to ask a custom-trained voice assistant critical questions — and get instant responses — completely hands-free.
Easily accessible via a headset or tablet, this groundbreaking product uses SoundHound’s voice AI with generative AI capabilities to learn and understand instruction manuals, ingredient and allergen information, and more. It then relays this knowledge directly to employees via their headsets as well as on a visual screen as part of a fluid two-way conversation, with the system able to answer any questions (and follow-up questions). It’s like having an expert in the ear of every employee.
Sam the Sommelier
Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled its digital human, “Sam the Sommelier,” which assists customers visiting Chevron’s ExtraMile stores with selecting the best bottle of wine based on food pairings and preferred price points. The technology is transforming perceptions of convenience stores as digital humans educate customers about each wine’s tasting notes while also inviting them to take a quiz to find their ideal bottle and helping them complete their transaction quickly. “Sam the Sommelier” and other conversational AI capabilities in Samsung technology also address labor shortages within the retail space, as they ensure employees can prioritize their responsibilities in operations and service excellence.
As AI-powered interactions become more prevalent, businesses need best-in-class self-service and display interactive technology to meet consumer expectations and stand out in a new age of retailing. AI-powered displays offer a two-fold solution for retailers and restaurant businesses.
Influencer of the Year
David Phelps
David Phelps, head of the Display Division at Samsung Electronics America, is a pioneer in self-service technology. With over 17 years of experience, Phelps has dedicated his career to developing display solutions that enhance the customer experience. As part of Samsung Display’s leadership team, he is responsible for growing the company’s market share in industries like retail. Phelps has partnered with major retailers to integrate self-service technology into their stores, improving efficiency for employees and creating more positive experiences for customers.
Phelps has been instrumental in Samsung’s use of AI in its display products. For example, he helped develop “Sam the Sommelier,” a digital human that assists customers in selecting wine at Chevron’s ExtraMile stores. Phelps also fostered a partnership between Samsung, SoundHound, and White Castle to introduce interactive menu boards in drive-thru lanes. The solution uses voice AI to provide customers with a seamless ordering experience and improves operational efficiency for White Castle.
Ryan Hamze
With years of recognized expertise, Ryan Hamze has had a significant impact on the tech industry. As a principal consultant at ISG, Ryan has played a pivotal role in guiding organizations through the adoption of advanced technologies such as Industry 4.0 and Generative AI. His work spans across critical sectors like manufacturing, automotive, agriculture and construction, where he helps companies successfully navigate complex digital transformations.
Hamze is also an accomplished public speaker and author. He regularly shares his insights on emerging technologies and digital transformation through various platforms, including industry events and podcasts. His published works include co-authoring the “State of the Market: Generative AI Report 2023” and “Generative AI’s Revolutionary Impact on Digital Threads and Digital Twins.” Recognized as an industry expert, Hamze frequently contributes to professional associations and engages in mentoring professionals, helping to shape the next generation of leaders in the field.
Best kiosk solution
Common-Use Self-Service Bag Drop at TPA
Tampa International Airport is the first U.S. airport to install a fully functional Common Use Self-Service Bag Drop at the remote car rental center and economy parking facility. The kiosk gives passengers the convenience of dropping off their luggage immediately upon returning their car and boarding the tram to the main terminal. This reduces queuing at terminal check-in areas, with travelers proceeding directly to the security checkpoint.
Bite’s Intelligent Kiosk
Bite’s self-ordering kiosks, powered by behavior-based AI and ChromeOS, are driving a 20% increase in sales for Kung Fu Tea. By improving order accuracy and reducing operational costs, these kiosks offer a profitable solution for businesses. Bite’s partnership with Google and Lenovo has enabled them to offer a low-cost, no upfront cost package that makes it easy for Kung Fu Tea to rapidly deploy these kiosks. The combination of ChromeOS, the Lenovo Chromebox Micro, and Instorescreen’s touch display provides a compact, efficient, and affordable hardware solution for self-ordering kiosks. This allows Bite to offer their kiosks “free” and scale their business rapidly.
Best vending solution
BluTap Self-Pour Technology
PayRange is revolutionizing the unattended pour bar market with groundbreaking self-pour technology, BluTap. BluTap unlocks fully autonomous pour bar experiences with age verification and payment capabilities, all accessible via the user’s smartphone. Designed with both businesses and customers in mind, users can seamlessly verify their age one time using PayRange’s age verification services, ensuring that every sale is a responsible and compliant transaction. BluTap’s built-in over-consumption controls ensure venues and operators can responsibly sell unattended adult beverages. Today, the BluTap is equipped on leading beverage equipment manufacturers’ tap equipment and in market in a leading global brand of hotels.
NextLockers Hot and Refrigerated Lockers
Kiosk Operators‘s NextLockers introduces a vending solution with its hot and refrigerated lockers. The innovation allows customers to make selections and complete purchases efficiently while maintaining the optimal temperature for their products. Ideal for grocery deliveries and meal deliveries, NextLockers streamline the vending process, ensuring food items remain fresh and secure.
Register for Self-Service Innovation Summit before Nov. 8 to receive $100 off registration.
About Networld Media Group
Founded in 2000, Networld Media Group is a leading media communications company specializing in digital media, events and associations in the technology, restaurant, banking, and retail industries. It’s media brands include ATMmarketplace.com, DigitalSignageToday.com, FastCasual.com, KioskMarketplace.com, QSRweb.com, RetailCustomerExperience.com and RewardsThatMatter.com. Events under the Networld umbrella include the Fast Casual Executive Summit, the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit and the Self-Service Innovation Summit.
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