It is no secret that in the future robots could be replacing some of the jobs that we do. We’re already seeing this in factories where robots are replacing humans on the assembly line namely because they can work more efficiently and require no rest, thus potentially allowing them to work around the clock.
Now it looks like robots could soon be replacing humans in the F&B industry, and we’re seeing that happen with Flippy. Flippy is a burger flipping robot put together by Miso Robotics and will be making its debut at CaliBurger, a fast food franchise that serves up “California style burgers”. The robot is currently in testing at the company’s Pasadena restaurant and there are plans to use Flippy in all 50 of its outlets over the course of the next two years.
As its name suggests, Flippy is a robot that can cook and flip burger patties and buns. It comes equipped with sensors that allows it to determine whether a burger has been cooked through and is ready to serve. It will also alert human cooks when it is time to add the cheese or other toppings, but other than that it will be able to add lettuce, tomatoes, sauces, and other toppings.
As to whether or not Flippy has the potential to replace humans, the company’s CEO has this to say, “Tasting food and creating recipes will always be the purview of a chef. And restaurants are gathering places where we go to interact with each other. Humans will always play a very critical role in the hospitality side of the business given the social aspects of food. We just don’t know what the new roles will be yet in the industry.”
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