Introducing Cloudpick AI unmanned retail solutions to simultaneously address logistical services and provide support for practical activities

Customer requirements

In July 2020, Cloudpick's AI-powered smart unmanned store had already entered the campus of the business school and received unanimous praise from faculty and students within a few months. There was a desire to establish similar unmanned stores in other campuses of the business school. This initiative aimed to address issues such as long queues during peak hours, short operating hours of the cafeteria, and a limited number of nearby dining options. Additionally, the store was envisioned as a student practice base, guiding innovation and entrepreneurship.

Cloudpick Solution

They adopted the Cloudpick AI intelligent unmanned store solution, a data-intelligent solution leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI computer vision, deep learning, and multi-sensor fusion:

• Cloudpick AI Smart Unmanned Store: This innovative shopping experience is built on computer vision, machine learning, and multi-sensor fusion technologies. It accurately recognizes customers' actions of picking up and putting back items, enabling automatic checkout upon exit. It presents a novel shopping method distinct from RFID technology and self-checkout.

• Cloudpick Store Data-Intelligent Management System: Business operators can monitor store performance in real-time, manage operations remotely, place online orders, adjust pricing, set promotions, and receive notifications for out-of-stock items. This system empowers efficient remote store management.

Result

On November 25, 2020, the Cloudpick AI Smart Unmanned Store, known as "wepick," officially opened its doors on the campus of the Business School.

Flash sales in seconds, no need to worry about peak periods between classes

At wepick, faculty and students can open the mobile app, scan the code, or use facial recognition to enter the store. After selecting desired items, they can exit through the gate, completing the payment, and receive the transaction details on their mobile phones. Addressing the specific needs of the school environment, Cloudpick has integrated the system with student and faculty cards, providing diverse payment options and enabling quick, seamless purchases, creating a unique and bustling scene.

Operating 24 hours a day, wepick has become the "second cafeteria" in the hearts of faculty and students

With limited dining options on campus and peak dining times in the cafeteria, students often face challenges finding suitable meals. The arrival of wepick expands the dining choices for students and faculty. In the 24-hour unmanned area, individuals can purchase a variety of items, including fresh food, cookies, instant noodles, and beverages, providing a convenient and diverse selection to satisfy hunger. The store is expected to serve as a "second cafeteria" with its rich food offerings.

Specifically designed for seniors, the wepick store located in the building within the library of the business school campus caters to students working on theses or preparing for postgraduate exams. As an "all-day online" store, it functions as an "energy station" where students can recharge. Whether grabbing a cup of freshly brewed coffee during a break from studying or rejuvenating with a snack, wepick becomes a place for students to refresh both their stomachs and spirits, a spot for a "full recovery."

Carefully selected SKUs, capturing the hearts of the younger demographic

Different store scenarios often require different business strategies. For Cloudpick, targeting students and faculty, truly understanding the desires and preferences of this demographic is crucial to avoid "going off course" and hit the emotional core during product selection.

Currently, Cloudpick has successfully implemented hundreds of AI smart unmanned stores in various types of schools.

Following the descriptors of "convenient" and "fresh model," many students and faculty have given this format extremely high scores. They express their intention to become frequent shoppers, contributing to the growing popularity of Cloudpick's campus services through positive word of mouth.

Co-building a student practice base, guiding innovation and entrepreneurship

Taking the opportunity of the new store opening, the university and the enterprise held the unveiling ceremony for the "Business School University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base" and the "Business School - Cloudpick Student Practice Base." During the seminar, the Vice President delivered a speech on behalf of the university, with representatives from relevant departments, members of the School of Business Administration, faculty from the Business Administration Department, and key figures from Cloudpick, including the Founder and CEO Jeff Feng and relevant personnel from the operations department, attending and engaging in in-depth discussions on the collaboration between the university and the enterprise.

On one hand, the university can use Wepick as a bridge to provide professional talents to the enterprise. According to the Deputy Dean of the School of Business Administration, the Shanghai Business School's School of Business Administration offers four undergraduate majors: Business Administration, Retail Management, Logistics Management, and Marketing. Among them, Retail Management, as a new major, is the first undergraduate major in the country that specifically focuses on the new business and new retail industry. It is also the first undergraduate major named "Retail Management" in the country. The talents cultivated in this major can continuously provide "fresh blood" for innovators in the retail industry, such as Cloudpick.

On the other hand, the practical experience of the enterprise will guide students in innovation and entrepreneurship. Based on the educational philosophy of "establishing the school with a business orientation and application as the foundation," the Business School emphasizes the integration of theory and practice. Previously, it collaborated with well-known enterprises such as JD.com and Starbucks to conduct research projects, aiming to train students' practical abilities. The Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Business Administration mentioned that students' enthusiasm for innovation and entrepreneurship is high, and they have many ideas, but there is a need for stronger guidance in the implementation process. In response, Cloudpick's Founder and CEO Jeff Feng expressed a commitment to providing more support, hoping to bring a business concept different from traditional stores to the campus and offer students more entrepreneurial and managerial insights.

With a high degree of alignment in supply and demand between the university and the enterprise, both parties are expected to deepen exchanges and collaboration in data sharing, student innovation and entrepreneurship, and research cooperation through the operation of physical stores in the future.

Customer Testimonial

The relevant person in charge of the university stated, "Opening a smart store on campus will not only facilitate the lives of teachers and students but will also serve as a platform to guide students in the School of Business Administration to carry out course practical training and further engage in innovation and entrepreneurship."