HMSHost said this week it has fast-tracked the launch of the SandStar Smart Kiosks as a contactless, on-the-go option for hungry passengers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
The new AI-powered intuitive coolers are located at the Red Star Bar in CLT’s Concourse B. Passengers swipe a credit card to open the cooler door, pick from an assortment of food and premium beverages, close the door and then head to the gate to board a flight.
The smart kiosk uses dynamic vision recognition to capture the items taken from the kiosk and activates the Blue Light virus cleaning cycle once the door is closed, immediately killing 99 percent of any virus that could potentially be present. Payment is made automatically to complete the shopping experience with the final shopping cart details displayed on the kiosk screen and sent to your mobile device for your convenience.
“HMSHost is constantly delivering new solutions to adapt and innovate throughout airports spaces around the world,” said Steve Johnson, HMSHost president and CEO. “Contactless convenience is at the forefront of our technology initiatives because it keys in on the health and safety of our customers. Passengers traveling through CLT can now grab fresh food to-go with self-checkout to give them confidence in a truly contactless experience.”
SandStar, an artificial intelligence company, is providing the technology for the smart coolers.
“SandStar is delighted to partner with HMSHost to bring this leading-edge technology to airports around the world,” said Mike Kiser, president of SandStar North America. “With our current pandemic, consumers are seeking contactless shopping solutions as a way to keep them protected which is why we expected staggering growth of smarter self-checkout systems delivered through our intuitive retail kiosks.”
