The University of Pittsburgh announced on Thursday that soon, student customers of one of its on-campus convenience stores may be able to skip check-out lines entirely.
That’s thanks to its new partnership with Transact Campus and its on-campus dining partner Chartwells Higher Education, a partnership that will bring Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology to its on-campus convenience retail location, The Market at Towers.
“As one of the first universities in the United States to integrate Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology into its on-campus retail environment, Pitt is elevating the student experience by making shopping at The Market at Towers faster, easier and more convenient,” Matthew Sterne, vice chancellor of business services at Pitt, said in a release. “This collaboration enhances our ongoing efforts to leverage innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our campus community."
Students who shop at The Market will need to scan their Transact Mobile Ordering app at the entrance of the store. Then, all they need to do is start shopping — the Just Walk Out technology will automatically detect what is taken from or returned to store shelves. Students then can simply exit the store. The app will automatically deduct the total from available funds, including Dining Dollars, Panther Funds and Pitt Cash.
The Just Walk Out technology utilizes generative AI, as well as computer vision and deep learning techniques to keep track of who is taking which items. According to Pitt, the new tech will allow The Market at Towers to be “staffed as usual,” while also being operated partially unattended and open 24 hours a day.
"We are proud to bring our Just Walk Out technology to the University of Pittsburgh,” Jon Jenkins, vice president of Just Walk Out technology, AWS Applications, said in a release. “Students will be able to get their snacks and school supplies at all hours of the day, in a convenient, fast, and frictionless shopping experience. The University of Pittsburgh is known as a leader in adopting innovative tech, and this store reflects that.”
Pitt said that the integration of the new technology is a part of its multi-million-dollar renovation of its main dining facility, The Eatery, which is being transformed to offer nine dining concepts that include made-to-order menu items with capabilities for custom specialties. The entire project will be completed in phases throughout the academic year and is slated for completion in fall 2024.
“Our vision for Pitt Eats includes a robust suite of emerging technologies and industry-leading food service innovations,” Quintin Eason, vice president of operations at Pitt Eats, said in a release. “We are proud to collaborate with Amazon as they aid in our vision of a best-in-class dining program.”
