How could we educate people about the machine while making it quick and easy for them to get a drink? First, we needed to visually explain what the machine was and how to use the touchscreen. At the same time, we had to make getting a drink easy and exciting. From trying over 100 flavor combinations to emotionally connecting with their favorite brands at every moment, users should walk away from the experience feeling impressed by PepsiCo’s beverage variety and innovation.

The UI needed to be clear and intuitive for all audiences, so we designed a familiar vertical, top-down flow. Users would instinctively select their drink, then customize it and finally pour. The vibrant brand colors, expressive shapes and lighthearted animations create a spirit of playfulness. We captured high-speed footage to drive refreshment cues and create thirst appeal. An appetizing idle state attracts users from farther away. When they engage, the UI focuses on personal user experience. These elements form a consistent visual language that appears across PepsiCo’s portfolio of equipment innovation.

Testing reveals that 10/10 users love Pepsi Spire and feel positively about the brand after trying it.

Pepsi Spire is currently in limited release at several of PepsiCo’s customers throughout the U.S., including college campuses, movie theaters and quick-service restaurants. Thanks to “smart” machine connectivity, PepsiCo and customers gain consumer insights in real time to learn about the most popular beverage combinations which will help them increase interactivity with users in new ways.