Polar Park to feature autonomous checkout store

Photo | Courtesy A rendering of a proposed autonomous store at Polar Park

Photo | Courtesy A rendering of a proposed autonomous store at Polar Park

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By Zachary Comeau

Polar Park, the future home of the minor league baseball team Worcester Red Sox, will feature what the team is calling the world’s first autonomous checkout store in a pro sports and entertainment venue.

The store, which will be near centerfield in the $101-million ballpark and sell snacks, drinks and team merchandise, will use technology from California tech startup Standard Cognition to allow customers to shop and pay without any scanning, waiting in line or stopping to check out.

Standard Cognition bills itself as one of the first autonomous checkout startups and was the first to open a cashierless store in San Francisco.

The technology uses ceiling-mounted cameras, artificial intelligence and machine vision software to accurately associate each shopper with the items they pick up. Payments are made on either the company’s smartphone app, the Polar Park app or an in-store kiosk taking cards or cash.

Shoppers paying at the kiosk will not have to scan anything, as the device recognizes their purchases when they approach.

The store will be open regardless of sporting events and accessible from the bottom floor of a proposed office building in left field.

“From Loring Coes invention of the monkey wrench, to Esther Howland’s development of Valentine’s Day greeting cards, to Robert Goddard’s experiments paving the way for modern space travel, Worcester has an impressive history of embracing innovative thinking,” said City Manager Edward Augustus. “We’re excited to have the world’s first autonomous checkout store in a pro sports and entertainment venue be right here in our city.”

Polar Park is expected to open in April 2021 as the team relocates to Worcester from Pawtucket.

Read more Worcester Business Journal coverage on Polar Park and related development: