Welcome to the Future

Can I be honest with you?

I'm actually pretty afraid of an eventual robot take over. You can't really blame me.

Robots are working for us, fighting wars for us, solving the unsolvable for us and even feeling for us. That's right, scientists have created robots with emotion and human-like morality.

So imagine my shock/embarrassingly loud scream when I came across this on the University of Texas at Austin campus:

I spy a creepy robot eye
photo courtesy of coffeebreak2day.com

The first, and currently only Briggo coffee shop is located on the University of Texas at Austin campus inside the Flawn Academic Center. A massively large box sits in the corner of this study hot spot for UT Austin students, and inside is a very technical and very intelligent barista; Briggo coffee and tea is procured by a robotic barista.

No human hands touch your drink (except yours, duh).

This is how it works: a caffeine-craving customer places his customized drink order via smartphone, internet or at the actual Briggo touch screen and then waits as his drink is crafted within the time estimated at check-out. When brewed and ready, the coffee emerges from two tiny silver doors and the customer's name appears on a large flat screen, informing the patron of his order.

video courtesy youtube.com

Brewed coffee can be ready in less than 30 seconds and espresso and chai drinks take no more than 180 seconds. If a customer's wait time is longer, it's simply because there are drink orders ahead of them.
Talk about coffee-on-the-go.

Take a moment and let the meaning of all this sink in.

Imagine having to switch planes in a busy airport. Your first flight was during your usual morning coffee break and you are in serious need of a jolt, especially since the kid behind you wouldn't stop kicking your seat on the plane; quickly, you whip out your phone and place an order for a soy caramel double shot latte with two Splendas, and by the time you deboard, your coffee is ready and waiting for you at the Briggo stand.

Briggo's easy to operate menu
photo courtesy of briggo.com

No more desperate scouring of the airport for the nearest, grossly over-priced coffee shop. No more pleas for a Divine intervention that would make the Starbucks line shorter so that your next flight isn't missed. No more caffeine headaches from having to forego your daily dose of coffee.

Pending Briggo's success, coffee-lovers can expect this robotic barista to appear in hospitals and airports and schools across the country.

Gourmet coffee, not turn-and-burn brews, under three minutes and for a nominal cost.

Briggo has been on the UT Austin campus for a few months now but due to my well-founded fear of robots, I kept my distance. But when I received a coupon for a free coffee I figured I might as well face my coffee-maker and try out Briggo.

I walked up to this new-age coffee shop and prepared myself. I was a little over-whelmed at first.
The robot is so simple its confusing. As a frequent coffee shop goer, I am accustomed to a thousand and one terms for a latte and a million different ways of ordering one. But at Briggo you are shown a simple screen of the drinks they offer, how long it will take to make it and all the customization options- how great is that?

Briggo the coffee robot
photo courtesy of dearcoffeeiloveyou.com

I ordered a double shot latte with one caramel syrup and one vanilla syrup. It was divine. It was the flan flavored latte I was hoping to receive at Dominican Joe's. My robot creation was caramelly but not overwhelming. There was a cool kind of sweetness about the drink and simple smoothness. There was no muddling of flavors; I enjoyed it very much.


Bottom line: Trust these robots with your coffee, but maybe not the future of the world.

Coffee Drinkers: Have at it! 


Non-Coffee Drinkers: The hot chocolate is the next thing to try on my list.




Hours:
Mon-Thur: 7am-12am
Sat-Sun: 10 am-10pm
Extended hours during finals


Location:
Flawn Academic Center at the University of Texas at Austin