Jill's Journal: Humbled by automation

How smart do you have to be to get a smoothie from an automated smoothie machine?

As I found out last week, a whole lot smarter than this ol’ gal.

Following ribbon cutting ceremonies at Kwik Star, I headed over to their grab-and-go section and plucked a chicken and Swiss sandwich from the case. Next, I ventured over to the automated smoothie machine. Now mind you, “automated” is the key word here. Although the machine does the work all on its own, the operator of the machine – hence, me – is required to make a few necessary decisions in order for the machine to do its job.

For starters, I had to decide on the size of cup I desired.

The machine’s touch screen then offered me two choices: Smoothie or a frappe.

I opted for the smoothie.

Next came the flavor choice. On this particular day, I picked a flavor that I knew I was sure to like: strawberry.

In an instant, the machine filled the glass with ice and the strawberry flavoring. 

When it finished, I grabbed the glass, all the while thinking to myself: That’s not a smoothie. It’s a glass of ice with strawberry flavoring.

It was also in that instant that a voice from behind me advised, “Leave it there! Don’t take it out!”

That voice – and helpful advice – was coming from Carl, the marketing and advertising manager here at the Journal. Within seconds, Rachel Neiman, the head honcho at the local Chamber of Commerce, and an understanding Kwik Star employee – I’m guessing he’s seen someone like me take the cup before it was time –  joined the “does-she-know-what-she’s-doing” party at the automated smoothie machine.

Heeding Carl’s advice, I put the cup back in place – panicked for a “kwik” second – before I was relieved to see I hadn’t put the machine out of commission. At this point, the automated machine slid my glass behind the plastic guard, followed by an “ice-grinder” lowering itself to, well, grind the ice, fulfilling my smoothie selection.

As one should expect, I received a few “jabs” from the group. In fact, I remember Rachael pointing out that her 10-year-old daughter, Ella, had no trouble at all fetching her smoothie from the machine. All. On. Her. Own.

Of course, she didn’t.

So, just how smart do you have to be to get a smoothie from an automated machine? 

As I proved on my inaugural go around, smarter than this ol’ gal.