Forget vending machines, PepsiCo is testing a way to bring snacks directly to college students.
The firm says it will start making deliveries with self-driving robots at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Students will be able to order Baked Lay’s, SunChips or Bubly sparkling water on an app, and then meet the six-wheeled robot at more than 50 locations on campus.
The firm says it has chosen a range of healthy snack for the experiment, including Smartfood Delight, Baked Lay’s, SunChips, Pure Leaf Tea, bubly, LIFEWTR and Starbucks Cold Brew.
‘We’re thrilled to welcome snackbot to our campus, along with its convenient and nourishing options,’ said Matt Camino, Director of e-Commerce at 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.’
Other companies have been using self-driving vehicles to deliver food.
Last month, supermarket operator Kroger announced it would start delivering groceries in a driverless vehicle from a store in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The robots used at the University of the Pacific will move at speeds of up to 6 miles per hour, according to Robby Technologies, which makes the robots.
HOW THE SNACKBOT WORKS
University of Pacific students can order food and drinks from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. via the snackbot App.
Food is delivered to more than 50 designated areas across the 175-acre campus.
Three workers on the campus will be refilling the robots with food and drinks and replacing the batteries with recharged ones when they go dead.
Three workers on the campus will be refilling the robots with food and drinks and replacing the batteries with recharged ones when they go dead.
At first three robots will be used, but then grow to a fleet of five over time.
The robots, which weigh 80 pounds and are less than 3 feet tall, drive on their own and stop when someone is in front of it, Robby says.
PepsiCo says it’s testing this way to deliver its snacks because more of its customers want a convenient way to buy them on their phones.
The bots are ready to roll with a range of more than 20 miles on a single charge, and are equipped with camera and headlights that allow it to see and navigate carefully in full darkness or rain, as well as all-wheel drive capabilities for handling curbs and steep hills.
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