Food ATMs are deemed to be the future of fast food. There are speculations that it may also soar to popularity in universities and campuses. According to Curiosity.com, ramen vending machines have been popular in Japan since the 1990s. However, the idea came to the United States in 2012 when Sprinkles Cupcakes launched the first 24/7 cupcake-dispensing machine in Beverly Hills, California.

The dispensers have a capacity of 600 cupcakes. They are always restocked with fresh cupcakes throughout the day. Last year, Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio also introduced a pizza ATM. It was invented by French company Paline.

The school's dining hall staff assembles the pizzas and puts them on the machine, which can carry up to 70 pizzas at a time. Customers just need to pick the toppings they want and press a button. The 12-inch pizza is then served in just three minutes.

Speaking to NBC News, Xavier University's Assistant Vice President Jude Kiah said that they were looking for a cost-effective solution to having late-night pizza on campus. There are sandwich bars and restaurants available but only the pizza ATM serves food 24/7.

University of Notre Dame Professor Timothy Carone, author of the book "Future Automation Changes to Lives and to Businesses," told Boston Globe that this technology will be part of the future. He also noted that the fast food industry will be the forefront of the automation trend.

This would definitely be popular in universities and colleges across the nation. However, it was reported that college students should break bad health habits, which include consuming too much junk food or eating a lot of microwave dinners. Check out these healthy recipes that are easy and quick to put together.

It is good to remember to eat fast food in moderation or, ideally, in lesser amounts. Hopefully, there will also be vending machines that serve healthy food in just a few minutes developed soon.

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Topics Food, Campus, Issues, Health, Nutrition