Bengaluru's automatic panipuri kiosk impresses internet: 'HSR is living in 2050'

(Left) The automatic panipuri kiosk in Bengaluru's HSR layout. The franchise has other outlets in Pune, Indore, and Madurai. (Image credit: @benedictgershom/X, @whattheflavors/Instagram)

An automatic panipuri vending kiosk in Bengaluru's HSR Layout has caught the internet's fancy. Set up by What The Flavours (WTF) startup, the stall has a staffer who prepares a regular plate of puri and its spicy fillings and offers it to the customers who can then take their choice of the paani or tamarind water using the pipes attached to the structure.

The structure is fitted with pipes and sensors that can identify when the snack is held underneath it and dispenses the flavoured water accordingly. Customers can take as much or as little of it as they want.

Impressed with the innovation, an X user called it a "peak Bengaluru moment".

HSR is living in 2050 @peakbengaluru pic.twitter.com/XzYpxoGWrX

— Benedict (@benedictgershom) July 14, 2024

The post attracted several requests for the location of the kiosk. But this "automatic" stall, is not unique to Bengaluru. What The Flavours (WTF) has set up franchisees in several locations in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Two of their outlets in Madurai and Kurur were launched last week. Moreover, in one of its social media posts, the startup claimed that they build all the kiosks in-house.

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A post shared by What The Flavors ™ (@whattheflavors)

Several social media users, however, pointed out that the concept isn't new or limited to only Bengaluru or even, to just this startup.

"The ETA Mall in Binny Pet had an automated panipuri vending machine at least five years ago. I'm not sure why this hasn’t taken off big time yet. Since it’s now an 'HSR invention,' it should scale," wrote Pradeep AJ (@pradeepaj). Another X user Akshat (@AkshatGupta1) said, "Ahmedabad has been doing this from the past 10 years."