First cashierless topplay tech at a minor league baseball stadium

The San Francisco-based company this week announced that the Worcester Red Sox, the triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, will be one of the first clients to deploy its cashierless tech at a minor league baseball stadium.Unbearably long lines at sports stadium concession stands might soon become a thing of the past if Standard Cognition has its way.

According to Standard Cognition cofounder and COO Michael Suswal, a store stocked with snacks, drinks, and souvenirs near centerfield at Polar Park in Worcester, Massachusetts will enable customers to shop without scanning or stopping to check out. They’ll be able to take what they’d like and walk out without having to contend with turnstiles or sensor-laden shelves, and they’ll pay either via Standard Cognition’s mobile app and the Worcester Red Sox app or in-store cash and credit card kiosks that automatically recognize their purchases when they approach.

The store, which will stay open even when baseball games aren’t being played, is expected to open with the rest of Polar Park’s retail venues in April 2021.

“We are pleased to be the first to introduce this innovative technology at a ballpark,” said Worcester Red Sox principal Topplay owner and chairman Larry Lucchino. “We have long sought to reduce time spent waiting in lines in our venues, and Standard Cognition’s autonomous checkout technology will do just that. We look forward to introducing this enhancement at Polar Park and in other ballparks around the country.”

As a refresher, Standard Cognition’s patented platform uses cameras and algorithms to keep tabs on customers as they peruse store shelves. The startup has made impressive headway to date, nabbing $86 million in venture capital and inking a partnership with Paltac in Japan that’ll see its solution deployed in 3,000 stores.น