The Self-Service Innovation Summit took place on December 10, where the winners of the fifth annual Automation & Self-Service Awards were announced. This event is designed to honour innovations within the realms of kiosks, vending, and artificial intelligence, highlighting technology that advances efficiency and customer interactions across various industries.
The Self-Service Innovation Summit, now in its fifth year, brought together industry professionals to discuss the latest advancements in self-service technologies that allow businesses to better fulfil customer demands. Discussions ranged from AI-assisted self-service systems to mobile applications, covering innovative concepts applicable in airports, healthcare, retail, and more.
Award nominations were accepted from August until October, followed by a panel of judges who reviewed submissions across seven categories: Best Use of AI, Vending, Kiosk, Robotics, Responsible Innovation, and Influencer of the Year.
Among the standout recognitions, SoundHound AI's "Employee Assist" won the award for Best Use of AI. This voice AI technology allows restaurant employees to engage with a custom-trained voice assistant for instant responses to critical queries—effectively providing instant access to essential information. Ishai Reinfeld, the director of sales operations and customer success at SoundHound AI, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "Our mission is to voice enable the world through conversational intelligence... Employee Assist transforms the way teams work."
In the category of Influencer of the Year, David Phelps of Samsung Electronics America was acknowledged for his significant contributions to self-service technologies. With 17 years of experience in developing display solutions that improve customer engagement, Phelps has been influential in integrating AI into retail environments. In his acceptance video, he remarked, "This award represents hard work, creativity and collaboration... The future of self-service and automation holds incredible potential."
The award for Best Kiosk Solution went to Tampa International Airport for its Common-Use Self-Service Bag Drop, marking it as the first U.S. airport to implement such technology at its remote car rental centre. This innovation allows travellers to check in their luggage conveniently and reduce wait times at terminal check-in areas. James Houghton and David Goldon from Materna, who partnered with the airport, accepted the award, recognising the effort behind this significant operational advancement.
PayRange's "BluTap Self-Pour Technology" gained recognition as the Best Vending Solution. This state-of-the-art system offers an advanced self-pour bar experience, incorporating age verification and payment functionalities via smartphone. Stephanie Cordisco, executive vice president of PayRange, highlighted the importance of transforming the self-service retail industry with innovations that promote responsible transactions.
Kadeya's Bottling Plant in a Box earned the Responsible Innovation Award for its approach to reducing plastic waste through stainless steel bottle sanitation and refilling kiosks. Utilising a Hydration-as-a-Service model, Kadeya aims to improve hydration practices in industrial workplaces while promoting sustainability.
Lastly, the award for Best Use of Robotics was presented to Rays Concept Development BV for their Hotweels Vending Machine, which employs a robotic arm to dispense Hot Wheels cars, efficiently managing inventory and enhancing the consumer experience.
The event underscored the ongoing evolution and increasing importance of automation and self-service solutions, reflecting the industry's commitment to integrating sophisticated technologies that respond to the needs of modern consumers. With these advancements, companies aim to enhance efficiency, improve customer service, and reduce environmental impact.
Source: Noah Wire Services