17 May - Revving Up the Shopping Experience: AiFi’s Autonomous Store at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix
AiFi powered a Verizon 5G autonomous store at the Miami International Autodrome for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix on May 5-7 for the second year in a row.
“The fast and the furious” expression is taking on a whole new meaning as AiFi powered a Verizon 5G autonomous store at the Miami International Autodrome for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix on May 5-7 for the second year in a row. The store, located just outside the Hard Rock Stadium, sped up the food and beverage shopping experience, enabling fans to get the items they needed and get back to the track to view the race.
Verizon’s Cashierless Store solution tapped its 5G network and AiFi’s computer-vision technology inside a unique outdoor (“AiFi To-Go“) format which welcomed nearly 1,000 fans over the weekend. These fans were able to swipe or tap their credit card upon entry, take snacks and drinks they wanted, and leave the store charged for the exact items they walked out with. Here’s how it all went down.
The Autonomous Store Experience at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix
- 1. Families and individuals tapped or swiped their credit card to enter the store
- 2. A pre-authorization charge was placed on the credit card for validation (this was later dropped)
- 3. Once the fan was inside the store, they were able to take whichever products they wanted
- 4. Fans were only charged for what they walked out with (not for anything they picked up and put back on the shelf)
- 5. As fans left the store, they could scan a QR code that was located outside of the store to receive their receipt within 15 minutes after exiting the store
“That was awesome! I would [come] here before I go over there. *Points to a typical concession stand.* I’ll definitely come back later.”
— Formula 1 Fan at the Miami Grand Prix 2023
The Value of AiFi at the Formula 1 Race
The autonomous store enhanced the event and offered a multitude of benefits to the fans and stadium stakeholders at the Grand Prix.
One notable benefit of the technology was the absence of a cashier in the store. This allowed those who would have been cashiers to become brand ambassadors instead. They were able to speak about the solution, explain what was inside the store, and encourage people to visit.
“Overall, the store was a technology showcase, and many people had never experienced anything like it before,” said Sebastian Herforth, Product Manager, Sports & Entertainment at AiFi as he discussed his experience at the event. “The feedback on the solution was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how awesome and seamless/frictionless it was.”
Another unexpected but added benefit was the air conditioning inside the autonomous store. The heat outside was blazing over the weekend and the AiFi store was one of the few air-conditioned spaces—becoming both a quick food and beverage solution, plus a place of solace for the fans.
The AiFi To-Go Solution
AiFi To-Go is a fixed modular design solution that allows retailers to operate stores with no staff and increase their footprint in new, previously untapped locations and reach a larger customer base. Designed to be placed in any interior or exterior commercial space, AiFi To-Go allows businesses to expand into new verticals and locations, leveraging short timelines and lower operational costs. Fully autonomous, AiFi To-Go eliminates high labor costs with no staff needed and can stay open 24 hours a day, conveniently serving customers faster anytime, day or night.
Checkout the AiFi To-Go solution here.
Final Thoughts
Verizon’s Cashierless 5G Store powered by AiFi at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix offered a unique and efficient shopping experience for fans. With a quick and easy payment process, fans were able to purchase necessary items and get back to the track without missing a moment of the race.
The overwhelmingly positive feedback on the store, coupled with added benefits like frictionless checkout, made the store a standout technology at the event. Overall, the success of this store highlights the potential of autonomous stores to revolutionize retail and customer experiences at stadiums and event venues in the future. We look forward to it all!
Interested in implementing an AiFi To-Go store at your event venue? Book a demo to see our solution in action.
