Robotics & Automation News

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restaurant

Chipotle pilots robots at key restaurants

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, one of the largest restaurant chains in the US, is piloting advanced technologies such as robotics to enhance its employee and guest experience by streamlining operations and reducing friction.

The company recently began piloting two new technologies in its restaurants to deliver precise forecasting, optimal quality, and increased convenience for digital guests.

In select Southern California restaurants, Chipotle is piloting a cook to needs kitchen management system that provides demand-based cooking and ingredient preparation forecasts to optimize throughput and freshness while minimizing food waste. [Read more…] about Chipotle pilots robots at key restaurants

Restaurant robots ‘can soon replace key jobs’, says report

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Capterra research finds that three-quarters of restaurants are now using automation

As labor shortages and rising costs continue to cut into profit margins, restaurants are looking for ways to improve their business model – and automation is increasingly looking like a viable solution.

From conversational AI drive-thrus to full-service fry cook robots, the possibilities are endless, but not all roles can be replaced.

Capterra’s 2022 Restaurant Automation Survey found that more than half of restaurant leaders say front-of-house restaurant workers can easily be automated with today’s technology, but some disciplines remain currently beyond automation. [Read more…] about Restaurant robots ‘can soon replace key jobs’, says report

Wings and Rings partners with Miso Robotics to begin Flippy 2 pilot

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Miso Robotics, the company transforming the restaurant industry with robotics and intelligent automation, has started a partnership with Wings and Rings, a club-level sports restaurant chain serving signature wings and other chef-inspired menu items, to begin a piloted test of Flippy 2 in its Crestview Hills, Kentucky location, with possible plans for further integration in the months ahead.

Built on the Miso Platform, Flippy 2 leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and data analytics to maximize efficiency in the commercial kitchen.

As the first wing concept to integrate Flippy 2 in a real restaurant environment versus a test kitchen, Wings and Rings sees robotics as the next evolution in alleviating the long-term challenges that the ongoing labor shortage has brought to the entire restaurant industry. [Read more…] about Wings and Rings partners with Miso Robotics to begin Flippy 2 pilot

Ally Robotics aims to raise $8.5 million to bring automation to the restaurant industry

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Ally Robotics, a startup making smart and affordable robotic arms, has launched a campaign to raise up to $8.5 million in seed capital via equity crowdfunding site WAX.

Founded by innovative leaders in the robotics and artificial intelligence industry, Ally is already backed by restaurant automation leader Miso Robotics, who has signed a statement of intent to become Ally’s first partner and purchase its robotic arms for its Flippy 2 product line, representing a potential revenue of $30 million.

While robotics and automation have helped alleviate the well-documented labor shortage, the majority of robots in the world are too expensive and are only deployed for the most difficult tasks that require heavy lifting or minute precision. [Read more…] about Ally Robotics aims to raise $8.5 million to bring automation to the restaurant industry

Robotic kitchen Nommi raises $20 million and partners with food tech platform C3

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Nommi, a new startup automating customizable bowl-based meals, has launched to raise up to $20 million in seed capital and is now open for reservations.

As part of this investment, visionary Sam Nazarian has led funding as part of a 50/50 deal to establish robotic Nommi kitchens in partnership with Nazarian’s global food tech platform C3 (Creating Culinary Communities).

Nommi, which is backed by Wavemaker Labs, a robotic incubator, is building a standalone robotic kitchen that is able to produce and dispense any grain-, noodle- or lettuce-based dish through a fully integrated cooking system. [Read more…] about Robotic kitchen Nommi raises $20 million and partners with food tech platform C3

Dexai Robotics partners with Mediterranean restaurant Bonapita

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Dexai Robotics, a provider of intelligent robotics solutions for commercial kitchens, has installed its automated food preparation robot, Alfred, at Boston Mediterranean restaurant, Bonapita.

The robot will be preparing salads and bowls at Bonapita’s West Roxbury location, at 75 Spring Street, West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

The announcement comes on the heels of a high-profile collaboration between Dexai and the Department of Defense, which will see 10 Alfred robots installed in multiple US military bases across the country. [Read more…] about Dexai Robotics partners with Mediterranean restaurant Bonapita

Jack in the Box to pilot Miso’s robots in its burger joints

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Miso Robotics has agreed a partnership with Jack in the Box to begin a piloted test that will install its Flippy 2 and Sippy core product lines in one of the national restaurant chain’s standalone locations, with possible plans for further integration in the months ahead.

Built on the Miso Platform, both products leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and data analytics to maximize efficiency in the commercial kitchen.

With continued staffing challenges impacting operating hours and costs, Jack in the Box saw a need to revamp its technology roadmap and establish new systems – particularly in the back-of-house – that improve restaurant-level economics and alleviate the pain points of working in a high-volume commercial kitchen.  [Read more…] about Jack in the Box to pilot Miso’s robots in its burger joints

Miso Robotics opens Series E funding round after already raising $50 million

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Miso Robotics, the robotics company specialising in the restaurant industry with, is opening its Series E funding round after raising more than $50 million through equity crowdfunding in its Series C and D.

The company is aiming to raise $40 million this round and plans to use the new capital to more rapidly satisfy the product demand it is facing in the marketplace, as well as grow its workforce, which has more than tripled in size in the past year.

It is currently accepting investment reservations in this round while it undergoes the SEC review process.  [Read more…] about Miso Robotics opens Series E funding round after already raising $50 million

Hyphen raises $24 million to commercialise automated kitchen system

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Hyphen, an automation company that uses software and robotics to help improve efficiency and consistency in commercial kitchens, has raised $24 million in Series A financing led by Tiger Global, with participation from Steve Fredette, the co-founder and president of Toast, Inc.

Existing investors who also participated in this oversubscribed round include Marc Rowan, co-founder and CEO of Apollo Global Management; Donald Moore, former chief culinary officer and EVP at The Cheesecake Factory; and more.

Hyphen has raised $34.4 million to date and will use the funds to build out their factory, expand into new markets, invest in research and dvelopment for next-generation products, and deploy with customers across the United States. [Read more…] about Hyphen raises $24 million to commercialise automated kitchen system

White Castle orders 100 fast-food robots from Miso Robotics

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White Castle, an American fast-food restaurant chain specialising in burgers and fries, has ordered 100 “Flippy 2” robotic frying cells from Miso Robotics, a company which has developed a range of robotic systems for the catering industry. (See video below.)

White Castle has almost 400 locations across the US and approximately 10,000 employees. With the installation of the robots – mainly the “Flippy 2” model (main picture) – many of its employees who were on frying duty will be put to different tasks. The company has been testing Miso robots since September 2020, and upgraded to Flippy 2 in November last year. .

Jeff Carper, chief operating officer at White Castle, says: “Our partnership with Miso continues to lead the way on what’s next for back of house restaurant operations looking to empower team members with technology to better satisfy customers. [Read more…] about White Castle orders 100 fast-food robots from Miso Robotics