Tulane Dining rolls out robots, Vietnamese cuisine, ghost kitchen

Change is on the menu this fall at Tulane University as Tulane Dining Services rolls out delivery robots, a Vietnamese concept, and a ghost kitchen featuring five new dining options.

The delivery robots, called Kiwibots, are a robotic fleet which provides food delivery service to students and the Tulane community on the uptown campus.

Kiwibots are designed with a friendly smile and digital eyes that can wink, encouraging emotional connection with students and the campus community. According to the manufacturer, this technology will pave the way for further integration of robotics into daily lives to help build sustainable, smart cities.

“I think [the Kiwibots] are really cute,” said Lauren Atwood, Biology/Pre-Med, Class of 2025. “When I don’t want to leave the dorm to get food, they are super convenient, and I like the way they smile. They make me smile too.”

The robotic delivery orders are placed via the Everyday app, and currently visit twenty-one locations at Tulane University, including dorms, academic buildings, and Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. Students track orders in real-time and, once the Kiwibot arrives, follow instructions in the tracker to open the lid and remove the food.

Another launch this fall is Lemongrass, a new Vietnamese dining concept on campus with freshly prepared banh mi, pot stickers, and Soba noodle salad.

Rollin n Bowlin, formerly located in the new Lemongrass space, has moved to the LBC Food Court with The Halal Shack, Dunkin,’ Star Ginger, Wild Blue Poke Bar, WOW Café, and a new ghost kitchen. The move provides students more dining options (pickup, delivery, or sit down) at the center of student dining activity, to enhance student access.

The Rollin n Bowlin menu features smoothie bowls topped with fruit, smoothies, avocado or peanut butter and banana topped toast, and a grab-n-go section with protein bars and snacks. Menu items can be ordered ahead of time for pick up at the Apex lockers or delivery via the Kiwibots.

The new ghost kitchen is the first fully remote food location Tulane’s uptown campus. The station features five food concepts: Mr. Beast Burger, Pardon My Cheesesteak, Mariah's Cookies, Buddy V's Cake Slices, and Robert Irvine's American Heroes.

“On behalf of Tulane Dining Services, we are confident these new innovations and locations will serve students well,” said General Manager Wesley Turnage. “We’ve already received tremendously positive feedback.”