MCG introduces WaitTime app to reduce F&B and bathroom queues
The closing weeks of the AFL 2017 season have seen the Melbourne Cricket Ground introduce innovative technology to speed up fans’ food and beverage (F&B) purchases and bathroom visits.
First introduced in North America, WaitTime's artificial intelligence helps fans select a bathroom or F&B location with the shortest line, accomplishing this by mounting sensors and cameras outside the doors of bathrooms, backed by advanced queue tracking algorithms.
This information is displayed across screens and on the MCG’s app, allowing patrons to see the wait times at an outlet and nearby stations before they join a queue.
Commenting on the technology, MCG Media and Publicity Advisor Prue Cichello explains “our customer research has shown us that wait times for food and drinks are one of the key frustrations for patrons.
"No one likes waiting in a queue and missing the action unfolding – we hope that by providing transparency over expected wait times, as well as advice on other nearby outlets, we can reduce some of that frustration for fans."
WaitTime Chief Executive and founder Zachary Klima advises “the sensors take screenshots 10 times per second that is fed to our onsite servers.”
Klima, whom founded WaitTime in 2014, adds "we developed a first-in-the-world artificial intelligence that is able to decipher the movement analysis of people in real time.”
WaitTime offers several ways for venues to purchase its services without many financial responsibilities.
Klima concludes “we come in with a sponsor and we cover everything; we get the sponsorship revenue or they (the team or the venue) pay and they’re able to sell a sponsorship on their behalf. At this point in time, it’s a no-cost opportunity.”
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Image shows the tracking of fans' movements via WaitTime.
28th July 2017 - MCG LOOKS TO REDUCE F&B QUEUE TIMES WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY
11th March 2017 - MCG LEADS THE TABLE ON F&B PRICING
23rd November 2016 - ADELAIDE OVAL BOWS TO PRESSURE AND CUTS F&B PRICES FOR TEST MATCH
27th June 2016 - RESEARCH SHOWS SPORTS FANS FED UP WITH STADIUM FOOD
2nd March 2015 - MCG WINDS BACK THE CLOCK ON FOOD PRICES
8th July 2013 - INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE QUEUES AT 1300SMILES STADIUM
