Forget vending machines, PepsiCo is bringing snacks directly to university students using a fleet of autonomous delivery robots.

In a new trial this year, the chip and beverage maker has begun deliveries with self-driving robots at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.

Students can order snacks and soft drinks on an app, and then meet the six-wheeled robot at more than 50 locations on campus.

PepsiCo has joined other US companies, including supermarket operator Kroger, to use self-driving vehicles to deliver food.

The robots used at the University of the Pacific can move at speeds of up to 10km/hr, according to Robby Technologies, which makes the robots.

Three workers on the campus will be refilling the robots with food and drinks and replacing the batteries with recharged ones when needed.

Three robots will be used initially, which will be expanded to a fleet of five over time. The robots, which weigh 36kg and are nearly one metre tall, drive on their own and stop when someone is in front of it, Robby says.

PepsiCo says it's testing this way to deliver its snacks because more of its customers want a convenient way to buy them on their phones.

Source: Phys.org