Texas Airport Is Getting A Coffee Robot With Autonomous Delivery Capabilities – CoffeeTalk

Ampersand, a Fort Worth-based coffee brand, is partnering with RobotLAB and Hestia Robotics to create Gizmo, a coffee-making robot kiosk that will serve customers 24/7 in Terminal C at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The kiosk will offer 27 different signature drinks, including coffees, matchas, and teas with flavors like vanilla, honey, snickerdoodle, or coconut.

Ampersand has two coffee shops in Fort Worth, one in the West 7th Entertainment District and the second on TCU’s campus off University Drive. The local chain has only been a year since opening its DFW Airport location, beating out big-league competitors like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. Now, the community has supported Ampersand enough to pioneer new technology in the world’s third-largest airport.

On Monday, April 7, Ampersand will launch “Gizmo,” the robot kiosk. By 2026, Luong and RobotLAB plan to have coffee robot delivery directly to customer’s gates. The new Ampersand coffee kiosk features a robotic arm and coffee machines programmed to create multiple different drinks in Terminal C of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Another Ampersand coffee bar with human baristas will be adjacent to the kiosk, serving their full drink menu, as well as some bakery and pastry items. The difference between the shop and the kiosk is that the kiosk can serve customers 24/7, not just for a shift.

Ampersand is also working towards beverage and food delivery robots that will bring orders directly to travelers at their gates, eliminating friction in the ordering process and enhancing accessibility. RobotLAB is responsible for the autonomous delivery robots, which use the same technology as all Kura Sushi locations. Unlike Gizmo, these robots will operate within the Ampersand coffee bar hours (6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) since the baristas prepare and program the orders.

The delivery process works: Customers order and pay through the Ampersand app (launching by the end of 2025), which will allow customers to schedule orders and track how close they are to their gate. Once the customer is close to their gate in Terminal C, the robot will roll over to them. The robots will have enclosed compartments in which the customer will scan a QR code to open their order, ensuring that they are taking the correct order.

Ampersand coffee delivery bots will stem from the kiosk at Gate C35, while the full functioning Ampersand coffee shop is located across from C37, selling the full menu of coffee and tea drinks as well as a food menu with toasts and pastries.

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