A dual-arm YuMi cobot puts the finishing touches on a BurgerBots meal. Source: ABB Robotics
Automated kitchens for fast-food restaurants took another step toward widespread realization today. ABB Robotics and BurgerBots unveiled a new restaurant concept in Los Gatos, Calif., using ABB’s IRB 360 FlexPicker and YuMi collaborative robot to precisely and quickly assemble meals. The companies said the system also accurately monitors stock levels and frees staffers to focus on the customer experience.
“Integrating ABB robots with the BurgerBots restaurant concept demonstrates the incredible potential for automation beyond the factory floor,” stated Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics Division. “The food service industry is dynamic and demanding, and our technology brings industrial-grade consistency, efficiency and reliability to this space.”
“When we asked the hospitality industry, 89% of managers and 73% of workers said they are open to the integration of robotics to automate tasks within their operations,” he added, citing a Censuswide survey of 1,250 hospitality workers. “By taking over repetitive and time-consuming tasks, robots allow staff to focus on what matters most – creating memorable dining experiences.”
ABB Robotics is a leading provider of industrial automation, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), cobots, and software. Its parent, ABB Group, recently announced plans to spin off the division in an earnings call.
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Restaurant workers welcome robotic help
One of the greatest challenges facing restaurant owners today is attracting and retaining staffers, according to the National Restaurant Association. High turnover, rising labor costs, and the repetitive nature of back-of-house roles continue to put pressure on hospitality businesses, said ABB.
Not only can automation help fill labor gaps, but it can also make food-service jobs more sustainable and appealing by reducing tedious tasks and improving workflows. The Censuswide survey commissioned by ABB Robotics found that 67% of hospitality workers agreed that robotics and automation should be used to reduce the amount of dull, dirty, and dangerous work they are are doing
In addition, 63% said they are excited by the idea of robots making their jobs easier, and 65% said they would welcome robots in their workplace if it meant a safer work environment.
BurgerBots built for speed, scalability
BurgerBots said it combines robotics and precision engineering to consistently deliver high-quality burgers with speed, efficiency, and limited need for manual oversight. The company claimed that its systems are designed for scalability, to optimize kitchen workflows, and ensure food safety while maintaining a favorable customer experience.
An IRB 360 FlexPicker takes ingredients and loads them on to the burgers. Source: ABB Robotics
BurgerBots added that its rethinking of fast food is suitable for high-traffic venues and on-the-go locations.
ABB Robotics asserted that its compact cell with BurgerBots is the first to integrate two types of robots with an intelligent inventory monitoring system. As each order is received, a freshly cooked burger patty is placed onto a bun inside a burger box.
This box is then positioned on a conveyor shuttle, which is tagged with a QR code. As it moves along the conveyor, the IRB 360 FlexPicker delta robot hygienically performs high-speed topping selection, guided by the data stored in the QR code.
Next, the YuMi steps in to collaborate on the final assembly of the burger. The entire process takes just 27 seconds per burger.
ABB said its robot controller also integrates with non-robotic systems, enabling real-time tracking of inventory such as onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments. This ensures smooth operations and efficient kitchen management, the company noted.
ABB Robotics and partners eye wider rollouts
The first BurgerBots cell is now open and operating at the Breaking Dawn/First Born restaurant. That Los Gatos location is the first step in its broader commercial rollout, said entrepreneur Elizabeth Truong, founder of BurgerBots.
“The vision was to bring consistency, transparency, and efficiency to food service,” she said. “For restaurant owners, it means better visibility of food costs, more accurate forecasting and – ultimately – better decision making. In the next five years, I believe that most restaurants will have some form of robotic automation, whether it’s back-of-house preparation, assembly, or even front-of-house service. It will become less of a novelty and more of a necessity.”
BurgerBots is the latest in a number of innovations in the food service industry supported by robotic technology. ABB has collaborated with RoboEatz on ARK, an autonomous robotic kitchen capable of preparing hundreds of meals with minimal human intervention. It said this showcases the potential for high-efficiency, hygienic, and customizable food prep.
ABB is also powering the robotic bartenders of Makr Shakr, which said they will soon be mixing drinks in venues around the world. “Together, these applications demonstrate how robotics is transforming hospitality with speed and consistency,” said ABB.
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