Fast Company posted a 5 and a half minute video for their “Innovation Undercover” series in which they look into the steps taken by Pepsico to create their new “Deep Ridge” ruffled potato chips. I was surprised to find out that they used 3D modeling software to create different chip shapes and ridge depths and then printed the models on a Makerbot. Those models were given to consumer focus groups who then gave their feedback on the ideal chip type.
Screenshot from Fast Company’s video of the 3D printing of a chip sample
“On this week’s edition of Innovation Undercover, step into PepsiCo’s savory Culinary Innovation Center in Valhalla, New York to discover the secrets behind potato chip flavors like Flaming Crispy Chicken and Cheeseburger. These flavors were not dreamed up by some slacker dude with the munchies—they are the result of years of research, development, and, in some cases, failure. Watch the video above to find out what super-calibrated tech is required in order to make 30 perfectly ridged potato slices every second—and much more.”
