Whole Foods to test out robot barista

Whole Foods Market has partnered with Briggo to install a robotic barista, providing in-store coffee service at its new Houston-Midtown location.

The store opens in early November. Shoppers will be able order ahead via the latter’s mobile app or at touchscreen kiosks inside the store. They can choose from coffees, cappuccinos, seasonal latte, and several other gourmet hot and iced coffee and tea drinks.

Following a launch inside the George R. Brown Convention Center in 2018, Whole Foods will be Briggo’s second Houston location and one of several openings in Q4 2019, thanks to the company's partnership with SSP America to place Coffee Hauses in airports throughout North America.

Briggo has inked a deal with Foxconn Industrial Internet for mass production of the company's automated, IoT Coffee Hauses. These can now be found at airports, convention centres, corporate offices, hospitals and grocery stores in Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Francisco.

"We are always looking to deliver fresh convenient experiences for our shoppers," comments Jessica Johnson-Keller, Southwest Regional Vice President at Whole Foods Market. "Briggo aligns with our Friends of Whole Foods Market mission and quality standards and we're thrilled to have such an innovative local partner."