How long does it take to heat popcorn with an unmanned intelligent vending machine? The answer is: 30 seconds.

On March 16, 2025, the Global Launch of JiLi Mars Intelligent Vending Machine and Future Lifestyle Trend Summit was held in Wuhan. At the event, Hubei JiLi Food Co., Ltd. unveiled the world's first full-chain intelligent popcorn vending machine, which can heat a cup of popcorn in just 30 seconds, offering six different flavors and operating 24 hours a day without human intervention.

After five years of technological research and development, JiLi Food's team successfully developed an intelligent popcorn vending machine that integrates on-site production, preservation, and payment. The machine is equipped with several core technologies: it uses factory-level full-chain automated production technology, an intelligent temperature control system to ensure the optimal taste of the popcorn, and a UV sterilization device along with biodegradable eco-friendly packaging to meet the requirements of the "dual carbon" goals.

At the event, JiLi Food signed strategic cooperation agreements with more than ten domestic and international companies, including Shenzhen Amoxicillin, Thailand Star Union, and Shaanxi Cultural Tourism Group, with a total contract value exceeding 100 million yuan.

Hao Yuhong, chairman of JiLi Food, stated that the company will continue to deepen the "intelligent equipment + cloud services + data empowerment" strategy. The company plans to establish a nationwide intelligent retail network within three years, allowing technological innovation to truly serve a better life.

Gao Fu, vice president of the China National Trade Promotion Council, believes that the launch of JiLi Mars Intelligent Popcorn Vending Machine is a successful example of supply-side structural reform in the popcorn industry.

It was also reported that a "Love Donation" public welfare plan was launched on the same day. Gao Huoxing, general manager of JiLi Food, promised that for every cup of popcorn sold, 0.01 yuan would be donated to the "JiLi Mars Hope Project Fund." Based on the initial deployment of 10,000 machines, with an average daily sales of 20 cups per machine and 300 days of operation per year, the annual donation amount is expected to reach 600,000 yuan.

**Reported by Yuan Yangping, Correspondent Du Xiaosu, and Intern Jin Mingzhe from Zhidian Finance**