DIY Protein Vending Machine

Solving the hassle of supplements with customized dispensing - right where you train.

2023

Related fields: Robotics, Controls, Mechatronics, Hardware prototyping

Prototype Video

Awards

  • - K-Startup MakerStar Competiton Bronze Prize (2023)
  • - Strange Ideas at SNU Entrepreneurship Center Grand Prize (2023)

Funded

  • Korea Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology (2023)
  • Seoul Business Agency (2023)
  • SNU Entrepreneurship Center: one-year office sponsorship (2023)

My Role

  • - Founder & Team Lead: Guided the project's vision and managed team operations.
  • - Lead Hardware Engineer: Oversaw the entire hardware lifecycle, from CAD design to hands-on fabrication, including welding and painting.
  • - Mechatronics System Design: Engineered the control circuits and internal mechanical systems.
  • - Fundraising & Pitching: Pitched to venture capitalists and successfully secured ~$20,000 in seed funding.

Credits

  • - Jaehoon Kim
  • - Minyeop Kim
  • - Sejoon Park

Motivation

    The motivation for developing a customized protein vending machine arises from the everyday challenges faced by fitness enthusiasts. While supplements such as protein powders, BCAAs, and pre-workouts are essential for muscle growth and recovery, they are often inconvenient to prepare, carry, and tailor to individual needs. Existing solutions, including ready-to-drink products or conventional vending machines, fail to provide true personalization, remain costly, and generate environmental concerns through single-use packaging. At the same time, gym-goers increasingly demand convenience, efficiency, and health-focused options that integrate seamlessly into their routines. Therefore, this work seeks to deliver an in-gym, automated dispensing system that provides personalized nutrition on demand—reducing preparation burdens, enhancing accessibility, and creating a foundation for broader smart healthcare applications.

For further inquiries on this topic contact kwanwoo3496@gmail.com.