Hamburger vending machines may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, but a tech start-up has made this idea a reality. As people want socially distanced, hygienic food experiences in playful ways – going hands-free doesn’t have to mean fun-free.
A burger vending machine created by New Jersey-based RoboBurger is open 24/7, and is an innovative way to enjoy a fun fast food dining experience with as little human contamination as possible. For $6.99, it will cook from a frozen grass-fed, 100% Angus beef patty, toast and dress the bun, assemble the burger, and deliver it to the customer in a takeaway box – all in just 5 minutes.
The abundance of fast food vending machines and automated food tech may be a cultural hallmark in countries like Japan - selling anything from soft drinks to cigarettes, soup, hot food and beer - but this has yet to translate fully Western audiences. Brands like McDonald’s are experimenting with automated voice ordering for their drive-thrus, Chipotle has begun testing a robot chip maker, and Taco Bell has opened a tech-forward location in New York City, with automation in the food industry beginning to rise as labour shortages accelerate this growth.
In the wake of the pandemic, and as hygiene-conscious behaviours continue to be a priority with 88% of Americans saying their hygiene is important to them, can automated food tech cater to people who want to dine on-demand?
