San Francisco-based robotics startup, Momentum Machines aims to revolutionize the fast food industry with an automated burger machine. While preparing for the launch of their new restaurant chain, they don't have to worry about potential chefs because they plan to start the world's first "smart restaurant" chain where all cooking is done entirely by robots. The company proudly boasts on its product page: "Our alpha machine replaces all of the hamburger line cooks in a restaurant. It does everything employees can do except better."
Saving money by eliminating staff is by no means a novel concept, and for anyone who has eaten a burger at McDonald's knows it has been decades since human hands have played a role in shaping burger patties. The revolutionary Momentum Machines promises to automate the entire burger making process while adding customized options that aren't currently available to fast food restaurants. Not only does their machine form and cook patties but it also slices the toppings to order, assembles the burger and even bags it up for waiting customers. As an added bonus the company promises that their technology will allow for the custom patties, composed of meat ground to order and combined in whatever combination the diner so desires.
Single-item menus, zero line cooks and almost no wait times, Momentum Machines proposed restaurant is entirely minimalist and tailored to improve upon the guests' experiences. Capable of pushing out approximately 360 burgers an hour, the machine takes up only 24 square feet, allowing for more spacious seating areas and hopefully more time spent improving the overall dining experience.
Wow. What do you think?
As a business practice, will it sink or swim? Do you see it as a worthy investment, saving money in the long run or a gimmick? Is it economically viable? Will customers /want/ to patronize such an establishment or will they long for the human touch? Would there be some sort of compromise, like having human cashiers to provide a face to the machine?
Is this something that could be adopted by the big fast-food chains? After all, McDonalds found its fortune by creating machines that mechanized food preparation back in the mid 20th century - will this kick off a new revolution in the fast-food industry? What does this mean for the workers that work the cash register or in food preparation? Would it cause the elimination of these jobs? Is that a bad thing?
https://www.psfk.com/2012/11/burger-making-robot.html