A team from PepsiCo and Robby Technologies began testing its robotic vending machines on a California university campus this week.

Students at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, were introduced to three self-driving robot vending machines, dubbed Snackbots. The Snackbots carry a variety of PepsiCo-brand snacks and beverages including Baked Lays, Bubly Sparkling water and SunChips. Students purchase vending machine fare by downloading the Snackbot app. Once items have been selected, the Snackbot meets student customers at any one of 50 locations throughout the 175-acre campus, without a delivery fee. Students access the contents of the Snackbot using an app button. However, Robby Technologies and PepsiCo warn that the Snackbots will only wait at the designated location for 10 minutes and then it will move on to the next location.

Snackbots at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Source: PepsiCoSnackbots at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Source: PepsiCo

Capable of moving up to 6 mph, the Snackbots have been likened to miniature Volkswagen microbuses. Weighing roughly 80 lb and standing under 3 ft tall, the robots navigate the campus on their own, perched on six small wheels and equipped with headlights and a camera. The bots travel up to 20 miles on one charge and can stop when they detect someone or something in its way. Additionally, the robots can carry their wares uphill and through the rain.

The robot vending machines will be supported by three campus employees tasked with restocking the robots with snacks and beverages from PepsiCo. Those employees will also be responsible for replacing batteries and other light maintenance.

Depending on the success of the venture, Robby Technologies expects to grow their campus fleet to five robotic vending machines.

This isn’t the first time technology is making inroads in the food and beverage industry. Scientists from Carnegie Mellon and Sony have developed robotic chefs capable of meal preparation, while a restaurant in Nepal is employing its first robotic waitstaff.

To see how the Snackbots work, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of PepsiCo.

To contact the author of this article, email mdonlon@globalspec.com