Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.
Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, LG or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.
Devin: What is your superpower?
Jane: If something goes poorly, I’m like, okay, how can we fix this?
Rob: I don’t really accept constraints... I want to always find a way around the issue.
Imagine a drive-thru where you can order your favorite coffee with a single app click, arrive at the pickup spot, and leave in seconds—no line, no waiting, no tipping. This seamless experience is the vision of Jane Lo and Rob Whitten, co-founders of p!ng, a fully automated drive-thru system designed to solve the inefficiencies of traditional drive-thrus.
The idea was born out of frustration. Rob, a robotics expert and father of three, described how bad drive-thru experiences with his daughters inspired the project. “My three daughters made me go through a bunch of drive-throughs. It was a terrible experience, and Jane told me to stop complaining one day and just fix it,” he shared. Jane, a marketing and customer experience expert, immediately saw the potential. Together, they combined their skills to create what Rob calls “the nerd’s revenge for bad drive-throughs.”
The technology behind p!ng is as impressive as its simplicity. Customers use an app to place their orders, which are prepared only when they approach the pickup location. Sensors and geofencing track vehicles, ensuring orders are ready precisely when needed. Rob explained, “We wanted you to leave p!ng feeling victorious and like you’re living in the future. It’s nice and simple on the surface, but underneath, there’s a bunch of really cool tech happening.”
Jane and Rob’s innovative system is already making waves among consumers, who appreciate the speed and ease of the experience. “Our customers were like, ‘This is amazing. Why doesn’t this already exist?’” Jane said. Yet, traditional venture capitalists often didn’t understand the scope of the problem. “If you’re someone wealthier, you probably have an assistant or a fancy espresso machine. You’re not likely to be in that drive-thru lane,” she explained.
To fund their vision of revolutionizing drive-thru convenience, the pair turned to regulated investment crowdfunding on Wefunder, where everyday people can invest in their mission. “It’s awesome because good customers make great investors and vice versa,” Rob noted.
By combining cutting-edge robotics with a deep understanding of customer needs, Jane and Rob aren’t just solving a problem—they’re creating an entirely new experience. p!ng shows how innovation and impact can work hand in hand to redefine convenience.
tl;dr:
Jane Lo and Rob Whitten founded p!ng to create a frictionless, fully automated drive-thru experience.
They combined expertise in robotics and customer experience to revolutionize how people get coffee.
Traditional VCs didn’t see the problem, so they turned to crowdfunding to fund their vision.
Jane’s adaptability and Rob’s determination to overcome constraints drive their ability to innovate.
p!ng’s technology simplifies the customer experience while showcasing the potential of robotics.
How to Develop Adaptability and Problem Solving As a Superpower
Jane and Rob’s superpowers center on adaptability and a refusal to accept limits. Jane describes herself as an “adapter,” someone who embraces change and thrives in uncertain situations. “If something goes poorly, I’m like, okay, how can we fix this?” she explained. Rob, on the other hand, described his ability to challenge constraints: “I don’t really accept constraints... I want to always find a way around the issue.” Together, these superpowers enable them to tackle challenges head-on and innovate in ways others might overlook.
When Jane was recovering from hip replacement surgery, she adapted by learning to solder at home so she could contribute to p!ng’s pilot project. “We made like a hundred of them or something,” she said, referring to the wiring components she assembled. Meanwhile, Rob shared his story of running a two-football-field-long hose to solve a water shortage during a robotics test at Amazon, demonstrating his determination to overcome obstacles quickly and creatively.
Tips for Developing the Superpower:
Push your boundaries by tackling things you fear or find uncomfortable.
Embrace change as an opportunity for growth rather than something to avoid.
Interrogate constraints instead of accepting them—ask “how can I solve this?” rather than “can I?”
Use AI tools creatively to brainstorm and find out-of-the-box solutions.
Focus on the next step instead of dwelling on failures or setbacks.
By following Jane and Rob’s example and advice, you can make adaptability and problem solving a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Jane Lo (she/her):
Co-founder, p!ng
About p!ng: p!ng is the fastest autonomous coffee drive-thru in the galaxy — a compact, robotics and AI-powered pod that serves premium specialty drinks in under a minute with virtually no wait and a radically better customer experience. Designed by veterans of Amazon Robotics, iRobot, and SharkNinja, p!ng delivers the speed, consistency, and convenience today’s on-the-go consumers crave, whether that’s during the chaotic morning rush or afternoon beverage side quest.
Website: pingthru.com
Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/pingthrucoffee
Company Instagram Handle: @pingthrucoffee
Other URL: wefunder.com/ping
Biographical Information: I grew up in the Bay Area and after graduating from UC Berkeley, began my career in healthcare consulting and biotech. These experiences made one thing clear: I wanted to work as close to the end consumer as possible. I returned to school to earn my MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, then moved into product marketing, brand marketing, and media production for consumer brands including Samsonite and SharkNinja. I met Rob, my co-founder, at SharkNinja, working on the same kitchen appliances development team. I found my true passion in Customer Experience analytics at Forrester Research, heading up a team of analysts and working as an advisor to Fortune 500 executives. I used data to show companies how well they are delivering for customers (or not), and what they could do to improve. Over time, I realized that even with good intentions and well-resourced teams, many companies struggle to create real change. Today, I use my love of working with and understanding customers to build joy-inducing experiences that make everyday life better.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jane-lo-ping
Rob Whitten (he/him)
Co-founder, p!ng
Biographical Information: Rob Whitten is the co‑founder of p!ng, the wicked fast robotic coffee drive‑thru. Raised in Loudon, NH, he attended West Point and served as an Army infantry officer before settling in Billerica, MA in 2004.
With a degree in Systems Engineering and a Master’s in Program Management, Rob has spent his career solving complex problems across defense, consumer electronics, and e‑commerce. He has led high‑performing teams at BAE Systems, iRobot, SharkNinja, and Amazon Robotics, working on projects including autonomous manipulation, robotics sortation, and grocery automation.
In 2023, frustrated by long drive‑thru experiences with his daughters, he co‑founded p!ng to reinvent the model through automation.
Outside of work, Rob enjoys riding his Harley with Jane, competing in triathlons, skiing, hiking, traveling, cooking, and crafting epic Star Wars lawn decorations.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rob-whitten-pingthru
Support Our Sponsors
Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include rHealth, Frontier Bio, and Rise Up at Work. Learn more about advertising with us here.
Max-Impact Members
(We’re grateful for every one of these community champions who make this work possible.)
Brian Christie, Brainsy | Cameron Neil, Lend For Good | Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | John Berlet, CORE Tax Deeds, LLC. | Justin Starbird, The Aebli Group | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Mark Grimes, Networked Enterprise Development | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Mike Green, Envirosult | Nick Degnan, Unlimit Ventures | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name Here
Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
Superpowers for Good Live Pitch – Private Investor Session: Immediately following the March 17, 2026, live broadcast at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT, investors are invited to join an exclusive private Zoom session to engage directly with the presenting founders—BRG Therapeutics (Dale Walker), GigaWatt (Deep Patel), My Diabetes Health (Dr. Prem Sahasranam), and rHEALTH (Eugene Chan). In this dedicated off-air environment, participants can ask deeper questions about strategy, traction, deal terms, and impact while exploring their active Regulation Crowdfunding campaigns in real time. Watch the live pitches on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, LG Smart TVs via e360tv, LinkedIn, YouTube, or Facebook—then continue the conversation in the private investor session where capital and clarity come together. Register free to get access to both events.
SuperCrowd Impact Member Networking Session: Impact (and, of course, Max-Impact) Members of the SuperCrowd are invited to a private networking session on March 17th at 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM PT. Mark your calendar. We’ll send private emails to Impact Members with registration details. Upgrade to Impact Membership today!
SuperCrowdHour March: This month, Devin Thorpe will explore how investors can align profit with purpose in a powerful session titled “Why You Should Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding.” As CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., Devin will share practical insights on generating financial returns while driving measurable social and environmental impact through regulated investment crowdfunding. Register free to get all the details. March 18th at Noon ET/9:00 PT.
SuperCrowd26 featuring PurposeBuilt100™: This August 25–27, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders will gather for a three-day, broadcast-quality global experience focused on disciplined capital formation, regulated investment crowdfunding, and purpose-driven growth. We’re bringing together leading voices in impact investing, compliance, digital marketing, and circular economy innovation to deliver practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies. The event culminates in the PurposeBuilt100™ Showcase, recognizing 100 of the fastest-growing purpose-driven companies in the U.S. Register now to secure your seat and get all the details. August 25–27, streaming worldwide.
Share the application for the PurposeBuilt100™: Purpose-driven founders deserve recognition. The PurposeBuilt100™ application window is now open—celebrating the fastest-growing companies building profit with purpose. If you know a founder creating real impact and real growth, please share this opportunity. Applications are free and confidential. Explore the program and apply today: PurposeBuilt100.com.
Community Event Calendar
Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.
Nominate your MedTech, BioTech or Life Sciences company for the prestigious TAG Awards. The deadline is quickly approaching! Apply before March 13! Use the discount code SUPERPOWER to save 20%!
Save the Date! October 20th and 21st will be the Crowdfunding Professional Association Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit for 2026. This is the event of the year for everyone in the crowdfunding ecosystem.
If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 10,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.
Manage the volume of emails you receive from us by clicking here.
We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode.
