In the 2020s, Rhea entered a new phase of exploration, one defined not only by technological advancement, but by a deeper attention to the evolving rhythms of everyday life. As the world reconsidered the meaning of presence, convenience, and connection, Rhea responded with projects that reimagined the coffee experience as something more mobile, more expressive, and more human. Barista On-Demand, the first self-driving coffee shop guided by an AI barista, shifted the paradigm from “go to coffee” to “coffee comes to you,” putting the user at the center of a system designed for real-time responsiveness and unprecedented levels of customization.
This drive toward personalization was matched by a growing commitment to sustainability, not as an added feature, but as an essential framework. Rhea’s machines became more modular, more recyclable, and more energy-efficient, while new materials and technologies were introduced to reduce waste and consumption across the product lifecycle. Projects like Monolite offered a vision of vending as both a service and a means of dialogue – with nature, with beauty, with the fleeting but meaningful moments that shape our daily lives. Designed in collaboration with artists and designers, Monolite used augmented reality to create a multisensory experience that turned even a solitary coffee into an act of connection and wonder.
Whether rethinking the layout of shared spaces through the ‘social architecture’ of The Coffee Landscape or developing freestanding and tabletop solutions tailored to specific environments and identities, such as the rhTT10 coffee machine, which brings the coffeehouse experience to the tabletop, Rhea continues to design with people in mind. And not just as users, but as individuals, each with distinct tastes, needs, and values. In a time of transformation, Rhea reaffirms what had always set it apart: a belief in human relationships, a commitment to sustainability as a shared responsibility, and a dedication to elevating even the smallest daily gesture into something meaningful.
