5 tech things: Compass pilots waste reduction technology at Canadian university

In this special edition of its 5 Things series, Food Management highlights five recent technology-related developments affecting the foodservice world.

Here’s your list for today:

 1.    Compass pilots waste reduction technology at Canadian university

Following a successful pilot last year that saw 125 kgs of single-use packaging waste reduced and more than 500 kgs of carbon emissions avoided in six months, tech platform reusables.com is partnering with Compass Group Canada on rolling out its Tap to Reuse and Smart Return Bin technology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Vancouver. Starting this past September, customers at SFU's busy Mackenzie Café are replacing single-use packaging with stainless steel reusable containers powered by Reusables' RFID technology that allows anyone to easily borrow and return containers, like a library system. The model is free for users and helps food service operations save costs on disposable packaging.

Read more: Reusables.com Launches New Technology For Universities to Eliminate Packaging Waste

2.    High-tech grow tower placed in Cal Poly Pomona president’s office

LA Urban Farms has donated a grow tower to Cal Poly Pomona that was placed in University President Soraya M. Coley’s office Nov 16. Standing six feet tall, the grow tower utilizes aeroponic technology to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers vertically in 21-28 days utilizing an air or mist environment and without the use of soil.

Related:5 things: Ultraprocessed foods provide two-thirds of kids and teens calories, study finds

Read more: LA Urban Farms plans to donate grow tower to Cal Poly Pomona’ President’s Office

3.    Fans demand more frictionless order/payment, concessions firm president says

As consumers increasingly rely on digital and self-checkout in their day-to-day lives, sports/entertainment venue management firm OVG Hospitality is seeing live event attendees demand more frictionless foodservice ordering and payment technologies in venues, says Ken Gaber, the president of Oak View Group’s live event foodservice arm. “I was trying to figure out what technology is adaptable to all age ranges, and what technologies are people using in their everyday life, because the average consumer goes to 1.6 events a year, on average,” Gaber said. “So, to train people in different ways [of checking out] with something that they don’t see from the street side is not going to be the easiest.”

Read more: OVG Hospitality President: Consumers Demand Familiar Payment Tech at Live Events

4.    AI-powered vending machines crop up across Canada

Canopus Biopharma Inc. DBA Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. has announced the recent deployment of nine New Generation-Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered digital vending machine units over nine distinct high-traffic Canadian locations, part of the company's overall goal to create the country's largest unattended retail-programmatic advertising network. Powered by artificial intelligence that elevates the user experience through a seamless user interface and automated programmatic ad scheduling capabilities, the digital vending machines provide media owners robust controls over creative content timing, management and monetization of their digital signage.

Related:5 tech things: Robotic health food restaurant opens in New York City

Read more: Canopus Biopharma Inc. DBA Blue Heaven Coffee Inc. Announces Canada-Wide Interprovincial Deployment of Newest Generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered Digital Vending Machine Units

5.    Robot tapped to be feline face of NYC restaurant

BellaBot, a waist-high, feline-faced machine that can deliver food and drinks, and ferry back dirty dishes, will roll out food orders at the Kamasu Japanese restaurant in New York City. The bots, which cost between $12,000 and $15,000, have already been mobilized at restaurants from Florida to Michigan, so Garry Kanfer, head of Kissaki Hospitality Group, decided to turn to the pricey gimmick as an entertainment draw at the soon-to-open Kamasu outpost in the Big Apple's Financial District.

Read more: NYC Japanese restaurant turns to cat-eared robot to roll out food, draw crowd

Bonus: Tech Update: Metz deploys AI-powered self-checkout at multiple sites

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]