Touchless lattes and self-service kiosks: office break rooms go virus-proof

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Coffee companies, such as Keurig Dr. Pepper, Lavazza and Nestle roll out new technology for the Covid-19 era, as workers across the United States return to workplaces, Reuters reported.

Ericsson's cafeteria, with social distancing signage to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, is seen at its office in West Gate Business Park in Bucharest, Romania, in this July 30, 2020 handout image. — Reuters
Ericsson's cafeteria, with social distancing signage to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, is seen at its office in West Gate Business Park in Bucharest, Romania, in this July 30, 2020 handout image. — Reuters

Employees are returning after months of lockdowns to the new reality of social distancing, hybrid remote and office work schedules, and strict hygiene protocols and the break room, where employees used to get their daily fix of caffeine and office gossip, is a big part of that reboot.

Nestle says it has worked with manufacturers to add a function to its coffeemakers that lets users to make a selection by just hovering a finger over the menu and has been delivering those to clients since June.

Meanwhile, Lavazza launched a new model in September that works with a mobile app to whip up those cappuccinos and lattes without having to touch the machine.

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