This article is produced by NetEase Smart Studio (public number smartman 163). Stay tuned for AI breakthroughs and the next big era!
[Netease Smart News, November 21] When the term “robot restaurant†comes up, many people might imagine a high-tech venue in Tokyo with dazzling LED and laser shows. There, remote-controlled robots dance alongside girls in bikini outfits during a dinner party. But in reality, robot restaurants are often more modest and low-key than that.
Eatsa, a San Francisco-based company, is one such example. It uses iPads for ordering and automated machines to serve food. Currently, Eatsa offers buckwheat fried rice at its health-focused restaurants. However, the company recently announced plans to expand its robotic platform to Wow Bao, a fast-food chain, next month.
At Wow Bao, located in Chicago, customers can place orders via apps or on-site kiosks. With Eatsa’s technology, they can collect their meals from small compartments illuminated by LED lights. A screen displays the customer's name and notifies them when their order is ready. By double-clicking the box, users can pick up their food efficiently.
This shift marks a new phase for Eatsa. Just weeks ago, it had to close five of its seven locations. Now, the company is focusing on offering its automation system as a service to other restaurants like Wow Bao.
The rise of Eatsa is part of a broader trend driven by AI, digital screens, robotics, and consumers’ growing preference for minimal human interaction. This is reshaping how we eat out, thanks to advances in delivery tech and changing consumer habits.
While Eatsa may seem unusual now, Neil Stern, a retail consultant at McMillan Doolittle, believes we’ll see more such innovations soon. He said, “It may not be perfect, but Eatsa has introduced a vision for the future that others are following.â€
On December 1, Wow Bao will open its first location using Eatsa’s technology in the Gold Coast area of Chicago. The company aims to double its store count by 2018, with current locations including airports, campuses, hotels, and stadiums.
Wow Bao’s president, Geoff Alexander, said he immediately recognized the potential of Eatsa’s tech. “I knew right away it was the perfect fit for our future stores,†he added.
In Eatsa and Wow Bao, robotics plays a central role in customer service. Meanwhile, in other restaurants, robots are still mostly confined to the kitchen. For instance, in San Francisco, Cafe X and Zume use robots to make lattes and pizzas, respectively. Miso Robotics has developed Flippy, a kitchen assistant robot set to flip burgers in California in early 2018.
Flippy doesn’t just flip burgers—it uses computer vision to monitor cooking times, ensuring perfectly cooked meals. Built with off-the-shelf parts and powered by AI, Flippy can learn and adapt to different kitchen environments.
David Zito, CEO of Miso Robotics, said, “Our AI allows Flippy to learn tasks quickly, making it adaptable for any kitchen, not just fast food.â€
While this shift benefits restaurants, it raises concerns for workers. High turnover rates in the food industry—76% last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—make automation an attractive alternative for owners.
Greg Creed of Yum! Brands, which owns KFC and Pizza Hut, predicted that more robots would take on roles previously held by humans by the mid-2020s. However, he also emphasized that fully automated restaurants remain challenging. “Self-service terminals may change things, but manufacturing? We’re still far from that,†he said.
Zito also believes humans will continue to play a key role in the future of robotic kitchens. “We envision a collaborative future where robots and staff work together to deliver great meals,†he said. “By combining AI and robotics, we aim to meet customer needs and revive the industry.â€
Follow NetEase Smart Studio (smartman163) for the latest AI insights and trends.
Japanese Standard Car Cable,Car Cable,Heat-resistant Cable,Low-voltage Car Wire
Jiangyin City Weicheng Special Cable Co.,Ltd , https://www.weichengcable.com