UCLA students can soon enjoy smoothies made by robot

The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) is getting a new addition this summer in the form of a robotic smoothie kiosk.

UCLA will be the third college campus to debut the Jamba by Blendid kiosk, a collaboration between robotics company Blendid and longtime smoothie brand Jamba.

“We think our Bruins will love being able to order plant-forward smoothies from their phones and then watch a robot prepare their customized orders,” said Cindy Bolton, director of food operations for Associated Students UCLA. “We’re excited to finalize details for the official opening and to see how robotics and artificial intelligence technologies can help our foodservice operations keep pace with student and faculty needs.”

Though robots of many kinds have been filling staffing gaps and extending hours at foodservice operations, not all have had staying power. DoorDash earlier this month announced that it would shutter its Chowbotics division, maker of the well-known Sally the Robot, as Sally failed to meet internal benchmarks.

Earlier this year, Jamba by Blendid units debuted at Georgia College and Kennesaw State University, also in Georgia.