Vending

Tel Aviv startup unveils PICI vending machine, grows fresh greens on demand

Photo: Adobe Stock

May 6, 2024

Replantin, a startup located in Tel Aviv, is working on a vending machine called a Produce Integrated Cultivation Instrument (PICI) that grows healthy and high-quality leafy vegetables, according to a Goodnet report.

The vending machine contains multiple shelves that hold different types of leafy greens and herbs. Each shelf allows for varying growing conditions that optimize the environment for the unique needs of all of the plant varieties. "Once [the seed] has sprouted, the climate and other conditions change gradually and the shelf will automatically enter into the different stages of growing," Replantin's founder and CEO Guy Elitzur told the news outlet.

The PICI also contains an irrigation system that brings water in and flushes it out several times a day, ensuring the plants have just the right amount of water. The PICI also utilizes an AI powered camera to monitor the growth and condition of each of the plants. The camera decides when the plant is ready to be dispensed. "It's like a small factory that grows and supplies the produce," Elitzur told the news outlet.