In the ever-evolving conversation around robotics and artificial intelligence, many industries are gradually incorporating automation into their workflows. Chipotle is one such company making strides with robotics, and in 2023, it introduced a new robotic assistant to help streamline its operations.
After extensive testing, the fast-casual chain announced that its avocado-peeling robot, aptly named Autocado, has officially debuted at its Huntington Beach, CA location.
What Is Autocado?
Autocado is a machine developed in collaboration with Vebu, a robotics company backed by Chipotle’s Cultivate Next venture fund. Designed to assist with guacamole preparation, the Autocado processes whole avocados, cutting, coring, and peeling them in about 26 seconds.
While this may seem slow for an automated process, improvements in speed and efficiency are likely in the works as the technology matures.
Vebu refers to its machines as “cobots,” short for collaborative robots, indicating their role in working alongside human employees rather than fully replacing them.
Though the term “cobot” softens the perception of robots in the workforce, their introduction could still signal a shift in the fast-casual food industry.
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How Automation Is Changing Fast-Casual Restaurants?
The introduction of robotics into food preparation is not unique to Chipotle. Many tech companies are exploring the use of robots in customer service-oriented industries, some with designs that mimic human capabilities, such as robots that can “chew” and “taste” food.
Autocado, on the other hand, has a more functional design, resembling commercial kitchen equipment rather than anything anthropomorphic.
This subtle design choice suggests that automation in restaurants may become more discreet. While consumers may not interact directly with a robot at the counter, the preparation of their food might be increasingly handled by machines behind the scenes.
This shift raises important questions about the future of employment in industries like fast-casual dining, where automation could reduce the number of employees needed to run a store.
Human Workers Still Play a Vital Role
Despite the rise of automation, Chipotle’s human workers remain essential to daily operations. Autocado processes the avocados, but employees are still responsible for mashing the avocados and completing the guacamole by hand.
For now, the robot serves as an assistant, speeding up the more tedious aspects of food preparation, but not entirely replacing human labor.
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In addition to the Autocado, Chipotle is working on other automation projects, such as robots designed to expedite digital orders for bowls and salads. While these innovations aim to increase efficiency, the complete automation of Chipotle locations remains a distant reality.
The Future Of Automation In Restaurants
As companies like Chipotle invest in robotics, the fast-casual food industry is gradually transforming. Although robots like the Autocado are still in the early stages, it’s clear that automation will play a larger role in the future.
While customers may not immediately notice the presence of machines in food preparation, the effects of this shift could have lasting implications on both the job market and how we experience dining in the years to come.
For now, though, Chipotle’s Autocado is just one of the many innovations the company is exploring to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. The days of fully automated restaurants may still be a few years off, but the groundwork is being laid one peeled avocado at a time.