Co-op Live, the UK’s largest live entertainment arena, has launched what it claims is Europe’s first autonomous market, powered by AiFi’s spatial-intelligence platform and Boxbar Tech’s self-serve beverage technology.
The newly redesigned market, built in partnership with Oak View Group (OVG), has been engineered to maximise speed, throughput and convenience during peak event times. Located in Vertu Place on Level 00 inside Co-op Live, the autonomous market features four entry gates and a fully frictionless checkout experience.
The fully frictionless, autonomous self-serve market allows fans to simply tap their card to enter, grab their favourite hot food, premium grab-and-go items and draught drinks from Boxbar Tech’s automated self-serve bar installation with no queues, tills, or waiting.
The combination of AiFi’s AI-powered, camera-based technology and Boxbar Tech’s automated self-serve draught system allows the venue to offer fresh lager, IPA, cider and Guinness in an entirely new way. The system automatically recognises pours, enabling guests to self-serve high-quality beverages that “far surpasses the speed and ease of traditional point of sale.”
The autonomous market makes innovative use of a compact, high-traffic area, utilising Boxbar Tech’s space-efficient design and direct cellar integration. Positioned in one of Co-op Live’s busiest zones, it demonstrates how advanced retail and beverage technology can scale seamlessly in demanding environments – improving guest flow, reducing wait times and helping fans get back to the show faster than ever.
Michalis Fragkiadakis, SVP of Hospitality Strategy, OVG International, said: “Co-op Live was designed to lead the way in how a modern arena can operate, and this new autonomous market is a powerful example of that ambition in action. By integrating AiFi and Boxbar Tech’s technologies, we’re delivering a food and beverage experience that is faster, smarter and far more seamless for fans. It reflects Oak View Group’s commitment to redefining the standards of venue hospitality across all of our properties, and we’re proud to see Co-op Live setting the benchmark for what the future of service can look like.”
João Diogo Falcão, CEO at AiFi, added: “This collaboration is about building the foundation for how large-scale environments operate when physical spaces become fully digitized. AiFi’s spatial intelligence enables partners like Boxbar and OVG to deploy experiences that are consistent, scalable, and responsive to real-world behavior. Together, we’re laying the groundwork for a new model of venue operations that can extend across cities, regions, and global portfolios.”
Reshad Hossenally, co-founder & CEO at Boxbar Tech, noted how the new market will help meet customer demands for quick, easy, quality service: “Bar service at major arenas and venues has long needed innovation and whilst customers crave speed and convenience, we believe they shouldn’t have to compromise on the quality of what’s in their cup. We’re so proud to be working alongside OVG, the team at Co-op Live and AiFi to bring this experience to life. Delivering high-quality draught beverages in a fully frictionless, self-serve format like this is right at the cutting edge of venue hospitality. It’s a glimpse of what the future of venues can look like and we’re proud Boxbar Tech is at the forefront of these developments.
