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[NetEase Smart News, November 21] When the term “robot restaurant†comes to mind, many people might imagine a high-tech venue in Tokyo with LED lights and laser shows, where robot dancers in bikini costumes entertain guests during dinner. But in reality, most robot-run restaurants are much more low-key and understated.
An example is Eatsa, a San Francisco-based company that uses iPads for ordering and automated machines for food delivery. So far, it has been serving buckwheat fried rice at its health-focused locations. However, the company recently announced a new partnership with Wow Bao, a fast-food chain based in Chicago, to expand its robotic platform.
At Wow Bao, customers can place orders via apps or kiosks. With Eatsa’s technology, they can collect their meals from small, light-up compartments. A screen displays the customer's name, and a double-click on the box tells them when their order is ready. This system aims to streamline the dining experience while reducing human interaction.
Eatsa is undergoing a major shift. Just weeks ago, it closed five of its seven locations, focusing instead on offering its automation technology as a service to other restaurants like Wow Bao. The move reflects a growing trend in the food industry, driven by advancements in AI, mobile ordering, and consumer demand for efficiency.
Neil Stern, a senior partner at retail consultancy McMillan Doolittle, believes such innovations will become more common. He said, “While it may seem unusual to retrieve your meal through a cubicle, Eatsa introduced a vision that others have since adopted.â€
On December 1, Wow Bao will open its first location in the Gold Coast area of Chicago using Eatsa’s technology. The company plans to double its store count by 2018, with current locations already spread across airports, universities, hotels, and stadiums.
Wow Bao’s president, Geoff Alexander, was so impressed by Eatsa’s system that he flew to San Francisco to see it firsthand. He called the technology “fun and efficient,†adding that it was the perfect fit for his future stores.
In Eatsa and Wow Bao, robotics plays a central role in customer service. But in other restaurants, robots are still largely confined to the kitchen. In San Francisco, Cafe X uses robots to make lattes, while Zume deploys them for pizza preparation. Meanwhile, Miso Robotics has developed Flippy, a kitchen assistant robot set to flip burgers in California in early 2018.
Flippy isn’t just about flipping burgers—it uses computer vision to monitor the cooking process, ensuring perfect results. Built with off-the-shelf components and powered by AI, it can be trained for various kitchen tasks.
David Zito, CEO of Miso Robotics, said, “Our AI software allows Flippy to learn and adapt, making it versatile for different kitchens.†Despite these advances, some worry about the impact on restaurant staff. The food and beverage industry has one of the highest turnover rates, prompting owners to seek more stable solutions.
Greg Creed, CEO of Yum! Brands, has also spoken about the future of automation, saying that by the mid-2020s, robots may take on more roles. However, he emphasized that full automation is still far off, and human workers will remain essential.
Zito agrees, believing that the future of the industry lies in collaboration between humans and robots. “We envision a high-tech, collaborative environment where robot assistants and employees work side by side, delivering quality meals efficiently,†he said.
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