News Briefs

HBX Group, a player within the TravelTech B2B ecosystem, announced the launch of an investment fund dedicated to financing startups and scaleups developing innovative technological solutions in the travel sector, as well as investing in corporate venture capital funds in the travel sector.

This investment fund is built on the success of TravelTech Lab, by HBX Group, created in 2023 to support and collaborate with startups and scaleup businesses in the travel tech industry, fostering a community dedicated to introducing groundbreaking solutions and facilitating their application in real business scenarios.

With the creation of this investment vehicle, TravelTech Lab by HBX Group, will further the company´s mission of contributing to technological innovation in the travel sector. The fund will have an initial dedication of 50 million euros in capital to invest in the next 10 years. The specific investment in each selected startup will be defined on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that the most promising technologies receive the support they need to thrive. This strategic initiative underscores HBX Group's commitment to innovation, which has been at the heart of the company since its creation in 2001.

To date, TravelTech Lab has successfully partnered with over 300 startups across various markets, including Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, and South Korea, and collaborates with leading organizations such as New York University's School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, and the Mastercard Tourism Innovation Hub. This collaborative effort has led to significant advancements in the travel sector, benefiting both the industry and travellers alike.

"The travel sector is in constant evolution, and only companies that innovate will remain competitive," said Nicolas Huss, CEO of HBX Group. "Our goal at HBX Group is to find solutions to unresolved challenges through innovation, thereby enhancing the customer experience. The creation of TravelTech Lab in 2023 was a significant step in this direction. Our investment fund will not only facilitate our access to future technologies but also promote the development of a global ecosystem of startups and scaleups in the travel sector," added Nicolas Huss. "We believe that by supporting these innovative companies, we can drive the next wave of transformation in the travel industry."

Since its founding in 2001, HBX Group has been a pioneer in the travel industry, dedicated to innovation and enhancing the customer experience. Through initiatives like TravelTech Lab, by HBX Group, and now it´s new investment fund, the company continues to lead the way in solving the travel sector's most pressing challenges.

PopID and Steak n Shake announced today that all Steak n Shake locations in the United States now accept PopID Check In (to review favorite orders and loyalty points) and PopPay for checkout. With more than 300 locations, Steak n Shake is the first national restaurant brand in the United States to adopt biometric check-in and checkout nationwide. PopID’s biometric check-in feature makes kiosk ordering faster, easier, and more personalized.

The implementation of PopID in every Steak n Shake location was accomplished rapidly and at low cost through a partnership between PopID and ACRELEC, a leading supplier of kiosk-ordering hardware and drive-through products. Cameras were shipped to every restaurant for attachment to the existing ACRELEC kiosks. “As explained in our recent publication, ACRELEC believes that our integrated biometric solution provides various benefits to restaurant operators related to throughput, ticket size, and loyalty engagement,” says Bruno Lo-Re, President of ACRELEC America.

“We are thrilled about our partnership with PopID and to be on the edge of biometric technology for the benefit of our customers. Our guests now have the option to use biometrics for a faster and more seamless experience,” says Sardar Biglari, Chairman of Biglari Holdings, the parent company of Steak n Shake.

Now that biometrics are enabled for all ordering and payment inside Steak n Shake restaurants, PopID and Steak n Shake will begin implementing biometric check-in and checkout at the restaurant’s drive-through units. “Similar to the kiosks, biometric check in can increase loyalty participation and revenue at the drive thru while also reducing payment processing costs,” says John Miller, CEO of PopID and Chairman of Cali Group. “Additionally, biometric payment at the order confirmation screen enables staff members to work on tasks other than taking payments by card and phone at the order pick-up window.”

CallTek, Inc., a provider of white-label technical support services, is excited to announce its new Technology as a Service (TaaS) program. This innovative offering delivers a comprehensive technology solution, including third-party financing for on-site implementation, 24/7 remote support, and essential professional services. Covering infrastructure, licensing, and a diverse array of IT and medical devices, TaaS represents a significant advancement in technology integration.

TaaS will make its debut at two major technology events for the hospitality industry: the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) and the Technology Investment Conference, hosted by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, during the week of June 24 in Charlotte, NC.

"CallTek’s TaaS approach offers technology integrators a competitive edge by providing immediate access to innovative solutions through a streamlined financial model. This method not only conserves working capital but also boosts operational efficiency," said Tony Espinoza, CEO of CallTek. "The TaaS model ensures integrators receive vital installation and support services, and state-of-the-art equipment, all bundled into a single finance package without any initial capital outlay. Our program is designed to help integrators secure more business while enabling hotels and businesses to meet their technology needs and obligations to guests and customers."

This program is available to technology integrators and operators across North America, including the hospitality, healthcare, education, and multi-family dwelling sectors

SoundHound AI, Inc., a provider of voice artificial intelligence, announced the acquisition of key assets from Allset, an online ordering platform that connects restaurants and local customers. As part of the acquisition, Allset’s team will be joining SoundHound, further strengthening the company’s capabilities and commitment to innovation.

The closing of the acquisition will bring additional restaurant relationships, engineering skills, and marketplace know-how to SoundHound AI as it builds towards its vision of a voice commerce ecosystem that enables consumers to access goods and services through natural conversation. This includes plans to facilitate voice-enabled food and drink ordering across millions of cars, TVs, and smart devices.

Founded in 2015, Allset is a food ordering platform designed for local pick-up, providing a seamless, cost-effective dining experience that allows both consumers and restaurants to bypass the high fees charged by delivery apps. The business received backing from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, and has amassed nearly 7,000 restaurant partners nationwide, including Joe & The Juice and Charleys Cheesesteaks.

Alongside continuing the services provided by Allset, all of the platform’s current restaurant partners – as well as all new signups to Allset – will now have full access to a suite of SoundHound’s voice AI products to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and drive sales.

The Allset leadership team, including Co-Founders Stas Matviyenko and Anna Polishchuk, will also apply their extensive marketplace experience to accelerating SoundHound’s first-of-its-kind voice monetization platform. The move mobilizes a key part of the company’s growth strategy, enabling consumers to use conversational voice AI to effortlessly order food from their vehicles or a voice-enabled device, like a TV.

Today, SoundHound is a market leader for restaurant voice AI solutions, working with over 10,000 restaurant locations. The company’s fast, accurate voice ordering technology can be deployed across multiple channels, including via phone, drive-thru, kiosk, and mobile app. The system can seamlessly pick-up customer orders, understand speech in a range of major languages, learn any restaurant’s menu, process orders directly to the POS, answer customer FAQs, and even upsell add-ons and offer special promotions.

SoundHound also works with world class clients across a range of other sectors, including smart devices, TVs, and automotive – where SoundHound’s solutions are in millions of units around the world today.

“As a business, Allset will help SoundHound bring voice AI solutions to even more restaurants looking to improve operational efficiency. At the same time, the Allset team brings a wealth of marketplace experience and knowledge that will make our bigger vision of a voice commerce ecosystem a reality,” said Keyvan Mohajer, CEO and Co-Founder of SoundHound AI. “Together, we plan to provide dynamic and convenient ways for people to order food and complete a range of other transactions just by speaking naturally.”

"We are thrilled to join forces with SoundHound to combine our established partnerships and marketplace expertise with SoundHound’s class-leading voice AI solutions and capabilities," said Stas Matviyenko, CEO and Co-Founder of Allset. "From the beginning, we realized that we share the same vision for the voice commerce ecosystem that elevates the consumer experience. This team-up will accelerate our progress toward the next exciting phase of AI-powered ordering convenience."

Learn more about SoundHound AI’s vision for a voice commerce ecosystem here.

Onity, a provider of electronic locks and mobile access solutions, is thrilled to  announce the enhanced DirectKey™ 3.0 system and an advancement in IoT-based hospitality security.  The company is set to showcase its expanded connected capabilities for electronic locks and mobile  access solutions at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), from June  24-27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Onity is part of Honeywell, a leading provider of solutions and services  that improve the occupant experience and are used in more than 10 million buildings worldwide. 

DirectKey 3.0 

Onity is proud to present the latest iteration of its flagship DirectKey mobile access technology. Onity’s  DirectKey technology allows guests to unlock doors upon approach using their mobile device - enabling  seamless entries across the property from parking garage, to elevators, guest rooms and beyond. Key  enhancements include: 

• Updated DirectKey ecosystem: Faster update times for firmware and data transfers as well as  lower power consumption for improved battery life.  

• Security and Enhanced Performance: Utilizing 128-bit AES data encryption to provide an  additional layer of security, complementing existing user access permissions and audit trails.  Designed to deliver faster open times and support quick connection to multiple users in common  areas such as elevators. 

• Soft Broker Technology: Enabling DirectKey/DirectKey Firmware capabilities on third-party  hardware platforms without the need for a DirectKey/DirectKey module. 

IoT Transformation for Enhanced Hotel Management 

Onity’s new 1-way and 2-way connected solutions will set the stage for future developments, offering  significant benefits to hoteliers: 

• Enhanced Front Desk Monitoring & Control: Allows front desk staff to monitor battery levels,  receive live alarms for forced door openings or doors held open, and remotely lock down  individual doors. 

• Improved Maintenance Capabilities: Features such as remote time setting adjustments for  daylight savings, lower staff costs, remote audits, and elimination of lock re-programming after  battery replacement. 

• Outstanding Guest Experience: Enables seamless room moves or extended stays, enhancing  the overall guest experience. 

New connected capabilities redefine property management and guest interaction:

• CloudConnect™: A cloud-based property management software (PMS) interface that eliminates  the need for on-premise hardware and wiring. It provides a single endpoint for PMS collaborators,  allowing seamless creation of key cards or digital keys. 

• Serene™ Wall Reader: A complete and connected solution offering flexible access to elevators,  parking garages, and common areas. 

• IoT Gateway: A scalable IoT mesh network infrastructure for properties with online locks,  facilitating remote access control for Onity connected locks. 

• Integrations: Collaborations with Wi-Fi access points and room management systems (RMS),  such as Inncom by Honeywell, enabling 2-way communication with Onity locks. 

"Providing connected capabilities for our customers highlights our dedication to enhancing experiences  for both hotel staff and guests," said Fayyad Sbaihat, President of Onity. "The future is promising as Onity  will soon launch a comprehensive dashboard for property owners and operators, offering valuable  analytics and insights into the operation and performance of their mobile credentialing and electronic  locking systems." 

For more information, visit Onity booth #3040 on June 25-27 at HITEC or visit www.onity.com.