The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

CA chain restaurant to introduce burger-flipping robot

By Alex Beall | September 15, 2017

Credit: Miso Robotics

A new burger-flipping robot from Miso Robotics, named Flippy, is set to replace grill masters in 50 locations of California burger joint CaliBurger within two years, the company announced this week.

“We focus on using AI and automation to solve the high pain points in restaurants and food prep,” Miso Robotics CEO and co-founder David Zito told Tech Crunch. “That’s the dull, dirty and dangerous work around the grill, the fryer and other prep work like chopping onions. The idea is to help restaurants improve food quality and safety without requiring a major kitchen redesign.”

Miso Robotics, funded in part by CaliBurger as well as by Canyon Creek Capital, Acacia Research Corporation and Match Robotics VC, uses artificial intelligence to run Flippy and plans to roll out the machine in 2018.

Designed as a wheeled cart that can be stationed in front of a grill or fryer, Flippy has a “sensor bar” equipped with thermal and 3D sensors and cameras to monitor its surroundings. A digital system sends orders back to the robot. With its six-axis robotic arm, it unwraps burger patties and moves them into grilling position, then tracks their cook time and temperature and alerts employees if toppings like cheese need to be added. It also has a collection of detachable tools to make burgers to order.

Though Flippy isn’t responsible for wrapping up or finishing topping the burgers, the robot’s introduction raises the question of how automation will replace human jobs in the food industry.

“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,” Zito said. “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.”

Cali Group CEO and CaliBurger founder John Miller lauded the cost-saving benefits of such a machine as well as the opportunity to experiment with new technology during a restaurant franchising summit in London.

“The kitchen can be entirely automated,” he said. “We really think of ourselves as a technology company that happens to sell cheeseburgers.”

Comments

  1. Daniel Rhodes says

    October 13, 2017 at 9:45 pm

    They protested for $15/ hour. Be careful what you wish for.

    Reply

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

The humanoid robot market is about to experience a boom, with projections indicating a substantial and sustained increase over the next decade, says Freudenberg.
Humanoid robots can benefit from high-performance seals, says Freudenberg
A dual-arm YuMi cobot puts the finishing touches on a BurgerBots meal.
BurgerBots opens restaurant with ABB robots preparing fast food
The new GX-C robot is designed for performance and flexibility, says Epson Robots.
Epson adds GX-C Series with RC800A controller to its robot line
a driverless monarch tractor pushes feed to dairy cattle.
Monarch Tractor partners with Dairy Farmers of America for autonomous feed pushing

RBR50 Innovation Awards

“rr
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Robotics Professionals.
The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Episode of The Robot Report Podcast

Automated Warehouse Research Reports

Sponsored Content

  • Sager Electronics and its partners, logos shown here, will exhibit at the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo. Sager Electronics to exhibit at the Robotics Summit & Expo
  • The Shift in Robotics: How Visual Perception is Separating Winners from the Pack
  • An AutoStore automated storage and retrieval grid. Webinar to provide automated storage and retrieval adoption advice
  • Smaller, tougher devices for evolving demands
  • Modular motors and gearboxes make product development simple
The Robot Report
  • Mobile Robot Guide
  • Collaborative Robotics Trends
  • Field Robotics Forum
  • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe