Yo-Kai Express is a "food tech" startup that develops meal vending machines. "This innovative platform dishes out fresh, gourmet food with over 30 options, 24 hours a day, and all without human contact," writes industrial design consultancy Spanner, who was hired to revamp YKE's machines. "Their mission [is] to provide delicious, restaurant-quality eats anytime, anywhere, catering to busy schedules and unusual settings."

Original design

Problems to solve

- To update the design language for a family of food-tech products suitable for North American customers

- The design should be able to be applied retroactively to products already shipping, avoiding comprehensive re-engineering

- Accommodate the needs of 2 key users: service personnel and end users

- Introduce an element of whimsy and character to stand out from the installation environment

- Integrate the requirements of engineering and manufacturing partners

Design updates

Working closely with the international Yo-Kai Express team, Spanner's in-house industrial designers expedited the generation of mood boards to explore and converge on design concepts that were optimal for a North American customer.

Engineering solutions

Spanner investigated engineering requirements, understood key manufacturing considerations, and identified opportunities for usability enhancements – both for end customers and for service personnel. Daily engagements and constant communication were crucial to maintaining program velocity and alignment with client intent.

Manufacturing considerations

Spanner provided a comprehensive design handoff specification detailing each of the products in the family to enable client engineering and manufacturing partners in East Asia to integrate engineering details and support ramp to mass production.

Program outcomes

- Successful deployment and ramp of new noodles machine design

- Establishment of a flexible and scalable design language easily applied to multiple form factors including an autonomous mobile restaurant

- Engagement of Spanner for follow-on consumer kitchen device and commercial beverages device (debuted at CES 2024)

- Countless thousands of meals served around the clock!

Project team

Yo-Kai Express: Andy Lin, Amanda Tsung

Spanner: Alyssa Kinoshita, Torence Lu

You can see more of Spanner's work here.