The future of food is technology, and the rise of robots is already here.
From coast to coast, robots are tossing salads, pouring cappuccinos and even handing customers McDonald’s orders at the drive-thru. Want a preview of what’s to come? At Tian Waike Restaurant in Kunshan, China, a fleet of robots cooks and serves food to customers — with some actual humans watching over.
Robots have the potential to radically change how food is prepared and presented to customers, and a consequence of this may be lost jobs. The restaurant industry employs 10 percent of all Americans, accounting for nearly 15 million jobs, according to the National Restaurant Association.
In the meantime, these automated machines will likely create heightened expectations of accuracy and efficiency in the restaurant industry. For instance, a robot built by Moley Robotics will be able to execute 2,000 different recipes when it goes on the market this year. And Momentum Machines’ fully autonomous robot can produce 400 made-to-order burgers per hour.
Let’s not forget the restaurant Eatsa, which makes it possible for customers to order and pay for healthful dishes like quinoa bowls without any human interaction, or HMSHost’s Pepper robot, at Oakland International Airport, which can greet guests, offer menu recommendations and give directions.
We can’t say decisively what a future with robots looks like, but, as with every other technology that has swept through the restaurant industry, we are sure to be in for major disruption.
Contact Marcella Veneziale at [email protected]
