Transact Debuts Contactless Tech for Colleges: Delivery Robots, Food Lockers

Transact has rolled out new software integrations for a sweeping slate of improvements to college campuses, a press release says.

Transact works in credential and payment solutions.

The new partnerships include software integrations with Apex Order Pickup Solutions and Panasonic Smart Lockers for better automated, contactless order pickup solutions for food service and retail, the press release says.

Then there’s a partnership with Starship, which is a mobile tech and autonomous robot platform working on grocery delivery. That integration will reportedly let users order from any restaurant or store that partners with Starship. Funds will be taken through Transact’s payment system.

Transact is installing systems for up to 10 colleges and universities, and clients will reportedly be able to easily enable the functionality.

“Our team is dedicated to providing solutions for the rapidly evolving needs of college campuses,” said Transact Campus Vice President of Product Management Erica Bass. “These systems integrations will help mitigate overcrowding in some heavily trafficked parts of campus, provide students with additional food service options, and offer a safe delivery option for those who may need to isolate or quarantine. We are committed to putting the safety of students at the forefront of all our work at Transact.”

In addition, Transact has also worked with Panasonic on a closed-loop payment integration with that company’s Smart Food Locker solution for colleges. And Transact has worked with Apex Order Pickup now, the company says, with these integrations letting students use their campus card funds to make purchases on the system or app.

In other college-related news, Discover has partnered with Phood, a student meal plan solution, to make a prepaid card so students can shop from off-campus vendors the same way they do from those on campus.

Learn more: Discover Partners With Campus Dining Solution Phood in Bid to Cater to Gen Z’s Digital Food Habit

Called Phood Discover, the card will let students shop at restaurants with meal flex plan dollars, along with grocery or convenience stores, or to order things from third party services.