Chipotle Mexican Grill is trying out new robots in two California restaurants to make food preparation faster and easier. The company hopes these robots will help improve their operations and gather feedback before they decide whether to use them in more locations.
The robots being tested are called Autocado and Augmented Makeline. Autocado is a robot designed to help with making guacamole. It can cut, core, and peel avocados in about 26 seconds, which is half the time it normally takes human workers.
Chipotle's New Robot Helpers
Although workers will still need to mash the avocados by hand, this robot will save them a lot of time. Chipotle uses a huge amount of avocados each year-about 129.5 million pounds. So, Autocado could make a big difference.
The second robot, Augmented Makeline, helps with making burrito bowls and salads. This robot can automatically put a set amount of each ingredient into bowls and salads. This is important because about 65% of Chipotle's digital orders are for bowls and salads.
Chipotle is making sure that these robots give the right portion sizes, as a recent check showed that some restaurants were giving smaller portions than expected.
Chipotle's Chief Customer and Technology Officer, Curt Garner, said these robots could help make the restaurant's operations stronger and improve the experience for both workers and customers.
The company is testing these robots at restaurants in Huntington Beach and Corona del Mar, California. They are seeking feedback from employees and customers to see how well the robots work and if they should be used in other locations.
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Chipotle Still to Decide if Robots Will be Designated in More Locations
The robots were developed with the help of technology companies Vebu and Hyphen, which Chipotle invested in through its Cultivate Next venture fund, according to Fast Company. This investment shows Chipotle's commitment to staying competitive in the fast-food industry by using the latest technology.
The robots are designed to handle repetitive tasks, allowing staff to focus on other important parts of their job, like interacting with customers and preparing food.
Autocado and Augmented Makeline are meant to improve efficiency in Chipotle's kitchens. Autocado handles avocados quickly, while Augmented Makeline helps with assembling orders. Both robots are hidden behind covers so that customers cannot see them in action. This setup allows staff to continue preparing food in front of customers, keeping the personal touch that Chipotle values.
In the future, Chipotle plans to decide whether to use these robots in more locations based on the results of these tests and the feedback they get. For now, they are focused on making sure the technology works well and meets their high standards for food quality and customer service.
