5 tech things: Sodexo to expand Kiwi robots to 50 campuses by year’s end

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:

Robotic sidewalk delivery firm Kiwibot has announced an expanded contract with Sodexo that will expand its fleet to more than 1,200 robots across 50 Sodexo college campuses in the U.S. by the end of 2022, up from the 200 units on 10 campuses it currently has. “The early success of our Kiwibot partnership has shown that automated delivery is not only possible and reliable, it’s desirable,” said Sodexo North America Chair Sarosh Mistry. “Sodexo is focused on meeting our clients and consumers where they are, and Kiwibot helps us do that. This year, more students than ever will benefit from autonomous delivery, and we’re pleased to be at the forefront of this emerging market.” Photo shows a Kiwibot unit at Sodexo's campus dining operation at Gonzaga University.

Read more: Sodexo strengthens its partnership with robotic delivery start-up Kiwibot to accelerate the transformation of its food model in US universities

Compass Group has formed a strategic partnership with indoor hydroponic farms vendor Farmshelf to introduce Farmshelf indoor farms at its foodservice locations in higher education, K-12 schools, businesses, healthcare facilities and event venues nationwide. Each Farmshelf has the ability to produce hundreds of pounds of leafy-greens and herbs annually, growing two-to-three times faster and using 90 percent less water than traditional farming.  "Beyond the powerful educational and dining opportunities that come from harvesting produce directly from these tech-enabled farms, they further reduce our environmental footprint and support our client partner's reduced or net zero carbon goals," said Gary Snyder, CEO of Compass Education.

Related:5 things: Self-serve back at Penn Dining

Read more: Compass Group Expands Indoor Farms at Foodservice Locations Nationwide Through Exclusive Partnership with Farmshelf

Global logistics company C.H. Robinson and autonomous trucking/delivery technology vendor Waymo Via have formed a long-term strategic partnership to mutually explore the practical application of autonomous driving technology in logistics and supply chains. The collaboration will focus, initially, on running multiple pilots in the Dallas-Houston transportation lane, with Waymo Via autonomous trucks hauling C.H. Robinson’s customer freight. “This will provide much-needed capacity, help improve the carrier and driver experience and address the business challenges posed by long-term driver shortages,” company officials said in a news release announcing the partnership.

Related:5 things: Nine Chicago hospitals failed food inspections in 2021

Read more: C.H. Robinson to Test Self-Driving Trucks with Waymo

Artificial intelligence firm Agot AI is using machine learning to develop computer vision technology that minimizes errors in takeout food orders by confirming order accuracy in real-time for online ordering and notifying employees if an order needs a correction, such as forgetting to add cheese or condiments. Since unveiling its technology, the company has worked with a group of large food service firms like Yum! Brands, with which it is partnering with to pilot the technology in about 20 restaurants, with plans to expand to 100 if the pilot is successful.

Read more: Agot AI gives restaurants computer vision to see where food orders go wrong

An AI-based system, produced by the French Veesion firm is helping a British store owner catch shoplifters who had been costing his business £500 to £600 a week to thieves. The software checks customers for suspicious behavior such as putting products inside their jacket or trousers, opening a package and consuming the contents in the store or placing products in their own bag rather than a basket or cart. It films them and alerts staff through an app within 20 seconds so they can confront the shoplifter with video evidence.

Read more: Artificial intelligence helps London store catch more shoplifters

Bonus: Montana diners chill outside in dining domes

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]