Students at the University of Sussex are dining at the speed of tech
Technology is playing an important part in the catering operation at the University of Sussex, Brighton. It has not only become the first UK university to open a ‘no contact’ food and drink shop, but it has also launched its first robot server in the ‘Eat Central’ outlet.
The new ‘frictionless’ shop called Atrium Market uses technology to introduce students to a new retail concept. Students simply scan their debit payment card on entering, select their food and drink, then walk out. Sensors on shelves detect what has been purchased as well as scanners at the exit point. The bill is automatically deducted from the customer’s debit card upon leaving.
Situated inside the Student Union, the shop stocks a range of sandwiches, snacks, Tanpopo sushi and gyoza, as well as Japanese and Asian halal ready meals. A hot drinks station serves coffee from Redroast, which is also available in other cafés on the campus.
Mark Lawrence from Sussex Uni Food, the university’s catering partners, explains, “The student centre is open 24 hours a day, so we wanted to offer a quick and easy option for those studying around the clock, providing a snack or hot drink at any time of the day or night. It complements the facilities available at the student centre where food can be heated using on-site microwaves or students can add hot water to snacks such as noodles.”
Working with Amazon
The university worked with Amazon to install and implement the technology and once the shop was open, Sussex Uni Food took charge of the day to day running of the shop. Mark adds, “We’re really proud to be introducing the first frictionless store of its kind in a university here.”
The robot server at the Eat Central outlet delivers food to tables when ordered via QR code, which saves on queuing at the counter. It uses a laser-mapping system and 3D camera to detect objects, making its journey from the kitchen to the table smooth and efficient.
The Uni Food Hub App
The Uni Food Hub App is another innovation which enables staff and students to have food delivered across the campus free of charge whenever required. Users select the closest location for delivery, then their choice of meal. Food can be pre-ordered at a time to suit them.
These technology innovations are just part of the university’s extensive refurbishment programme. Eat Central was renovated to create a food court-style layout with cosy booths. The menu was revamped offering global dishes alongside classic favourites. These include bamboo and baba thali, as well as street food options like bao buns, dirty fries and House of Cluck fried chicken. It also offers the popular ‘Sussex Saver’ meal which provides a hot meal for £2 for staff and students.
Another outlet Veg Bowl @ Dhaba has also been refurbished and as a result, sales have increased by over a third compared to the previous year. It offers a “build-your-own” lunch menu where customers choose a base of either noodle broth, poke bowl, leafy salad or banh mi. This is combined with a protein or veg choice such as mushroom, tofu, egg and aubergine and topped with mango, pineapple, cucumber or sweetcorn before finished with a garnish and sauce.
For more information on the concept, visit https://www.sussex.ac.uk/
