Imagine getting your hands on freshly grown leafy vegetables and herbs not from a garden, but from a vending machine. An innovative Israeli startup is revolutionizing the vending machine concept with its Produce Integrated Cultivation Instrument (PICI), designed to cultivate healthy and high-quality greens on the spot, and at a faster pace than traditional field methods.
Located in bustling Tel Aviv, replantin has introduced a groundbreaking vending machine concept that houses multiple shelves dedicated to nurturing various types of leafy greens and herbs. Each shelf is equipped to create optimal growth conditions tailored to the specific needs of different plant varieties.
Founder and CEO of replantin, Guy Elitzur, explained, “Once the seed has sprouted, the climate and other conditions change gradually, and the shelf will automatically progress through the different stages of growth.” The vending machine features an intricate irrigation system that cycles water in and out of the shelves multiple times a day, ensuring the plants receive precisely the right amount of hydration.
A sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) camera oversees the growth progress and health of each plant. When a plant reaches maturity, it is ready for harvest and dispensing. Elitzur likened the process to a compact factory that nurtures and delivers fresh produce efficiently.
In addition to its innovative growing process, the PICI vending machine offers practical advantages. By housing seeds in capsules instead of fully-grown plants, it reduces shipping costs, simplifies storage, and eliminates the risk of plant damage during transportation.
The startup, established in early 2023, addresses the challenge of global greens deteriorating during long-distance transport to reach consumers. Elitzur emphasized the importance of maintaining peak freshness, stating, “These crops typically have a short shelf life and require refrigeration, posing a significant issue.”
Driven by a vision to transform current agricultural practices in response to urbanization and climate change, replantin’s core mission is to revolutionize the fresh produce supply chain. The PICI vending machines aim to streamline the process, minimize food waste, and swiftly deliver fresh greens to consumers. These vending machines are strategically placed in supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and hospitals to ensure access to fresh produce where it is most needed.
Elitzur highlighted the potential of freeing up traditional farmers to adopt more efficient and sustainable farming methods like vertical farming, stating, “We firmly believe that vertical farming is part of the solution, and we are committed to being a part of this movement. The possibilities are endless.”
