SodaStream Fountain
A new beverage platform, built at speed
SodaStream
-
ClientSodaStream
-
IndustryConsumer goods
-
ServicesCustomer Research, Industrial Design, UX Design, Systems Engineering, Design Engineering, Prototyping, Design for Manufacture
Two brands, one entirely new platform
As SodaStream set out to define their next generation of products, utilizing PepsiCo’s portfolio of iconic beverages presented an opportunity to integrate personalized soft drinks to their lineup. Enabling them to create a product that combines the strengths of both brands into a single at-home experience.
With competitors moving quickly, PepsiCo and SodaStream needed a partner who could help align stakeholders, validate product assumptions, and accelerate development. Smart Design brought design, engineering, and systems expertise together under one roof to rapidly develop a viable product platform and supported through manufacturing all the way to product launch in under 14 months.
The final product combines both company’s strengths into one intuitive, easy to use experience that allows users to create personalized beverages in over 1,000 different combinations.
A completely new beverage platform
SodaStream had never created a dispense-into-glass appliance. We developed a new system architecture that coordinated water delivery, carbonation, flavor dosing, and dispensing into one seamless experience.
Flavor without compromise
The platform needed to fit within SodaStream and PepsiCo’s existing business model while creating an entirely new beverage experience. Existing flavor bottles were integrated into the appliance, preserving compatibility with established consumables while introducing on-demand flavor dosing. The system also had a high threshold for accuracy, needing to consistently recreate the taste consumers expected across all beverage combinations.
Fun and intuitive customization
Complex beverage-making decisions were simplified into a clear, rewarding workflow. Users can easily customize flavor, carbonation, and serving size to create their ideal drink.
Designing for every pour
The challenge was not simply combining carbonation with flavor. The machine had to recreate the taste consumers expected from PepsiCo beverages while giving them the freedom to customize each drink. At the same time, it needed to be intuitive to use, easy to clean, and meet SodaStream’s rigorous standards for quality, durability, and safety. The project began with a collaborative workshop that aligned teams around product goals, technical requirements, and customer needs. With research on flavor customization already conducted, we validated their key hypotheses through rapid concept testing, consumer feedback, and iterative prototypes.
Sketch to market in 14 months
Design and engineering progressed in parallel from day one. While designers explored product architecture, usability, and the overall customer experience, engineers investigated the technical systems needed to deliver consistent carbonation, precise flavor dosing, and simple maintenance. Running these work streams simultaneously allowed decisions to be made quickly and kept the accelerated timeline on track.
After validating the technology, the team refined the product for manufacturing. We delivered design for manufacturing and assembly CAD, control drawings, and quality control documentation. Extensive prototyping and testing in Smart Design’s labs, including durability and fatigue testing of the carbonation system, validated the design for contract manufacture. Smart Design continued supporting PepsiCo, SodaStream, and manufacturing partners through tooling, engineering builds, and production, including on-site collaboration and ongoing refinements.
One platform, endless possibilities
By combining design and engineering from the outset, Smart Design helped PepsiCo and SodaStream transform an early product vision into a manufacturable platform on an accelerated timeline.
The integrated approach reduced uncertainty by validating customer needs alongside technical feasibility, allowing the team to make informed decisions throughout development. Rapid prototyping, continuous consumer feedback, and parallel work streams kept the project moving while maintaining the quality standards expected from both brands.
The result was a new beverage platform that united SodaStream’s carbonation expertise with PepsiCo’s beverage portfolio in a single consumer experience. With the ability to adjust carbonation level, flavor intensity, and beverage size, the SodaStream Fountain allows users to craft over a 1,000 different drink varieties—letting people create their perfect, personalized beverage every time. It also provides PepsiCo and SodaStream with a foundation for future innovation in the beverage category.