Fulfilling a commitment to make Polar Park a technological, innovative ballpark, the Worcester Red Sox have announced an agreement with tech startup Standard Cognition to open the world’s first autonomous checkout store in a pro sports and entertainment venue. The store, to be located near centerfield in Polar Park, will be stocked with snacks, drinks, and souvenirs, and it will leverage Standard’s AI and Machine Vision technology to enable customers to shop and pay without any scanning, waiting in line, or stopping to check out.
Fans can simply walk in, take what they like, and walk out to enjoy the game. The innovative ballpark, scheduled to open in April 2021, is located in the Canal District of Worcester, Massachusetts, the second-largest city in New England.
“We are pleased to be the first to introduce this innovative technology at a ballpark,” says Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Larry Lucchino, now Principal Owner & Chairman of the Worcester Red Sox. Before working with Boston Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry and Chairman Tom Werner to spearhead the renovation of Fenway Park, Lucchino was the driving force behind Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore and Petco Park in San Diego. He also spearheaded the creation of JetBlue Park in Lee County, Florida, while serving as President/CEO of the Red Sox.
“We have long sought to reduce time spent waiting in lines in our venues,” says Lucchino, “and Standard Cognition’s autonomous checkout technology will do just that. We look forward to this enhancement at Polar Park and expanding it to other ballparks and stadiums around the country.”
Standard Cognition was one of the first startups in the autonomous checkout space, and first to open a cashierless store in San Francisco. Recognized by Fast Company magazine as “One of The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies,” Standard is currently working with retailers across the United States and the world. The company has raised $86M in funding from high-profile investors including CRV, Initialized Capital, EQT Ventures, and Y Combinator.
“Standard is committed to helping retailers provide the best and most seamless checkout experience for their customers,” says Michael Suswal, Co-Founder and COO of Standard Cognition. “Working with Larry Lucchino and his team, we have enjoyed creating an innovative, safe, convenient way to enhance the fan experience. We are honored to contribute to the sights, sounds, and smells of the wonderful city of Worcester.”
Standard leverages ceiling-mounted cameras and proprietary AI and machine vision software to accurately associate each shopper with the items they pick up, without using facial recognition or any other biometrics. Fans have the option to pay via the Standard or Polar Park apps or visit a kiosk in the store to pay with cash or card.
In addition, shoppers who choose to pay at the kiosk do not have to scan anything because the kiosk automatically recognizes their purchases when they approach. The system requires no turnstiles, sensored shelves, or special store layout, creating a seamless experience for customers and making it easy to retrofit into existing stores.
“WPI is dedicated to creating the workforce of the future, which will include cutting edge fields like AI, machine learning, and data and computer science,” says Winston Soboyejo, WPI interim provost. “But we know we must also focus on the human experience and human interaction in those fields. As the Academic Technology Advisor for the Worcester Red Sox, we are delighted to host the team and Standard Cognition on campus as they announce an exciting new partnership that blends both technology and the human experience.”
City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. adds, “From Loring Coe’s invention of the monkey wrench, to Esther Howland’s development of Valentine’s Day greeting cards, to Robert Goddard’s experiments paving the way for modern space travel, Worcester has an impressive history of embracing innovative thinking. We’re excited to have the world’s first autonomous checkout store in a pro sports and entertainment venue be right here in our city. We thank the Worcester Red Sox, Standard Cognition, and WPI for making Polar Park a ballpark that will integrate the needs of today’s fans with the latest technology.”