Automation has been driving the food industry for a long time. The first McDonald’s built in 1948 revolutionized fast food restaurants by installing a self-service window instead of waiters and waitresses and precooking burgers ahead of time using a heat lamp to keep the food warm. This increased their ability to serve more customers at half the price. The food industry as a whole hasn’t stopped innovating. Advancements in artificial intelligence, sensors and robots have paved the way for commercial kitchens to get safer, efficient and more productive.
What is a Robot Kitchen?
Once thought about as only something that would be possible on The Jetsons, robots and sensor technology are infiltrating commercial kitchens across America. Robotic hands preparing a spaghetti sauce, tech enabled griddles that sense the food and thickness of the food to cook to the perfect temperature and refrigerators that monitor their own temperature to ensure safer food storage are just a few examples of what makes up a robot kitchen.
Food Automation is More than Just the Kitchen
Technology hasn’t just permeated the actual cooking process. We are seeing it in food manufacturing, delivery and service. It is becoming more commonplace to see digital kiosks to place food and grocery orders in-store. Dominos is currently experimenting with driverless delivery with their new Nuro initiative. SureSensor utilizes sensor technology throughout the supply chain to reduce spoilage and positively impact food freshness. Did you know that roughly 40% of our food supply is lost due to inefficient and ineffective processes throughout the entire food supply chain?
The Benefits of Using Robots in Commercial Kitchens
- Increased Production: A primary benefit of kitchen automation and the biggest attraction for commercial kitchens is the constant and consistent production performed by robotic kitchen augmentations. Robots don’t get tired, don’t take sick days and perform as programmed. A commercial kitchen would be able to prepare more meals in a fraction of the time.
- Reduction in User Error: Humans make mistakes. If robots are performing optimally, they don’t. Robots make the same recipe every time reducing volatility in flavor that may come from “accidental customizations”.
- Reduction in Food Waste: If a robot can make food the same way every time, then by definition it is always going to use the exact amount of ingredients and serve the exact portions designated in its programming. This is an important point as it regulates not only the food being prepared, but also can help maintain consistency of inventory purchasing.
- It’s More Hygienic: As long as the robots are cleaned regularly, it’s much more sanitary and efficient to have a robot fix food than it is for a human who is constantly touching multiple surfaces and then your food.
- Marketing Advantage: While this is more of a time-sensitive benefit, robot kitchens and other futuristic tech are “cool”. People love to see innovation, making your decision to invest in such technologies one that can be promoted with the potential of driving more customers to your brand.
Are You Ready for the Kitchen of the Future?
Whether you are a restaurant owner, kitchen manager at a wholesale warehouse chain or work in a grocery store, innovations in the food industry are something to get used to. As a partner of ObservantIQ and a company that works with plenty of food suppliers, we know that these advancements can help improve your bottom line.
If you are interested in learning more about how we can help make your facility safer and more effective for your customers, contact Central Florida Store Services now.
For nearly 20 years, Central Florida Store Services has been providing general contracting, mechanical contracting, HVAC, and refrigeration services for the Florida market. They have delivered over 16,000 service calls to this day and have developed a strong reputation for service quality and customer service. Its business model is designed to be a one-stop-shop for all facility needs, creating more time and maximum value to its clients.
