5 tech things: Universities pour on the tech solutions as new academic year begins

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.    Lehigh opens 24/7 Convenience Corridor

Lehigh University and dining services partner Sodexo have updated the campus dining program with the 24/7 Convenience Corridor, which includes Yo-Kai Express, a “robot” that churns out various kinds of ramen bowls; a Starbucks Serenade on-demand coffee brewer; and upscale vending machines that offer a lineup of freshly prepared Simply To Go salads, sandwiches, sushi, beverages and snacks. Also opening is the Market X at Mountaintop Campus micromart that lets guests pick up grab-and-go meals, drinks, coffee, snacks and more at their convenience round the clock.

Read more: Innovations abound this fall for Lehigh University Dining

 2.    USD retrofits campus store into AI-enabled autonomous market

The University of San Diego (USD) is partnering with AI platform AiFi to provide frictionless shopping options to students, staff members, and guests on campus. AiFi retrofitted the university's existing Smart Market with its camera vision-based technology that allows students to select which food and drink items they'd like to purchase and walk out without waiting in line or scanning to pay.

Related:5 things: Food trucks remain at UCLA due to dining staff shortages

Read more: University of San Diego Partners with AiFi to Open Autonomous Convenience Store On Campus

3.    Temple upgrades campus dining with Grubhub Ultimate

Temple University is adding new technology from Grubhub to several on-campus dining locations that integrates all restaurant ordering channels into a single platform, streamlining workflows for staff and upping convenience for diners. “From a convenience standpoint, Grubhub Ultimate is really a game changer for Temple Culinary Services,” says Michael Scales, associate vice president for business services. “It is going to help improve both wait times and services at eateries all across campus. With this new mobile ordering option, students can avoid long waits and just quickly stop to pick up food as they move from one class to the next.”

Read more: Temple upgrades campus dining with new Grubhub tech

4.    USI adds Kiwibot robot delivery across campus

University of Southern Indiana (USI) students won’t be the only ones strolling campus sidewalks this fall as 15 Kiwibot autonomous food service delivery robots will also be buzzing along campus routes, serving the USI community through the Grubhub app. They will deliver to all areas of campus accessible by sidewalk, including campus housing, with operating hours aligning with campus dining location hours and available seven days a week with a $3 delivery fee applied per order.

Related:5 things: Million dollar donation lets children hospital expand food pharmacy program

Read more: Kiwibot, campus dining delivery robots, arrive at USI for start of Fall Semester

5.    Cincinnati Airport adds robot food delivery

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport is adding a robot allows travelers to stay at the gate while getting food and other items delivered right to them. They can now order up the robot's service to deliver fresh food from the Subway restaurant inside the airport, with Smashburger and the OTR shop soon to be added to the service.

Read more: CVG airport adds food delivery robot

Bonus: Maryville University raises the bar on salads

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]