Zume Pizza

Better Pizza Faster

Zume Pizza has integrated technology into the pizza making process from start to finish. Orders are received via an app, the order specifications are sent to an automated conveyer belt, and the pizzas are made from super fresh ingredients by a combination of humans and robots. In addition to their high-tech kitchen, Zume has also developed high-tech trucks with mobile pizza ovens - that’s where 219 got involved.

Zume Pizza and 219 Design

Zume felt that 219 would be a great fit because of our track record working on projects with system-level design, custom circuit boards, firmware, and industrial networks. In addition, 219’s interdisciplinary approach made it possible for Zume to work with one company to tackle the software, firmware, electronic, and manufacturing aspects of this project.

219 felt that Zume would be a great fit, not just because they had funding to execute their vision, but because their in-house engineering team knew what to expect during new product development. In addition, we think it is awesome that they use high quality, locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients, provide full benefits to their staff, and use biodegradable pizza boxes. But let’s face it, they had us at pizza robots.

Pizza Nerds Unite

Zume had developed a first generation solution that enabled the system software to control the on-board ovens. 219 got involved when they needed a second generation solution that included additional functionality, higher reliability, simplified wiring, and upgradeable firmware. Zume had an aggressive development schedule and needed to focus on other requirements of the system. They looked to 219 to minimize the burden on their engineering team while still controlling high-level direction.

219 divided the development into informal sprints with regular integration points.

• First, we outlined a preliminary system architecture that included recommendations for the communication bus and the messaging interface between the Zume system software and the oven controllers. Once we converged on a suitable API, Zume was able to continue developing their side of the system while 219 got to work.
• Next, 219 created a prototype that implemented the communication component of the oven controller. The prototype could be connected to the Zume system software so they could integrate early on. This prototype used custom firmware on a COTS development kit so that we could accelerate the timeline.
• In parallel, we developed a custom PCB design that included the additional features and continued work on the firmware. This design was thoroughly tested and iterated upon until requirements were met. 219 used a trusted vendor to fabricate and assemble a small pilot run of a few hundred boards. We programmed and tested each board in-house, then worked on-site at Zume to assist with integration.  Shortly thereafter, 219 delivered a custom firmware bootloader and a Linux-based software program to manage the upgrades to the oven controller array.
• After some final design tweaks, the development was considered complete. 219 coordinated another run of PCBAs so Zume had some inventory on hand. The design was transferred to Zume, and they were ready to get cooking!