PepsiCo has introduced outdoor, self-driving robots that will deliver snacks and beverages to students at the University of the Pacific in Stockton in California.
The Hello Goodness snackbots are an outcome of a collaborative partnership between the cola giant and Robby Technologies.
The snackbots are user-friendly, and offer a range of products including Smartfood Delight, Baked Lay's, SunChips, Pure Leaf Tea, bubly, LIFEWTR, and Starbucks Cold Brew.
Vice-president of innovation and insights for PepsiCo food service, Scott Finlow, said, "PepsiCo has a unique opportunity to better serve today's ambitious college students, by joining together the power of the Hello Goodness portfolio with our expertise in design and equipment innovation."
Convenient Snacking Option
The idea is an extension of the company’s successful Hello Goodness vending platform.
Staff and students can avail the service between 9 am to 5 pm through the snackbot app, which can be accessed with their university email address.
The snackbots have been programmed to deliver the orders to more than 50 designated areas across the 175-acre campus.
"We're thrilled to welcome snackbot to our campus, along with its convenient and nourishing options," said Matt Camino, director of e-commerce at the University of the Pacific Stockton.
"This innovative technology from PepsiCo is enhancing campus life for our students, staff and faculty alike, who have embraced this new way of snacking from PepsiCo."
The bots can travel more than 20 miles on a single charge, and are equipped with cameras and headlights that allow them to see and navigate carefully in darkness or rain. They also have all-wheel drive capabilities for handling curbs and steep hills.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
