Chipotle Gets A.I. Involved In It’s Food Production

Chipotle is testing a robot that can peel avocados in 26 seconds. 

Called the Autocado, the robot “cuts, cores, and peels avocados” by the case before workers get to make the guacamole, which Chipotle describes as cobots (collaborative robots). According to The Verge, the company is testing out the robot at the 20972 Magnolia St. in Huntington Beach, California, location. 

“These cobotic devices could help us build a stronger operational engine that delivers a great experience for our team members and our guests while maintaining Chipotle’s high culinary standards,” said Curt Garner, Chipotle’s chief customer and tech officer, in a statement.

It dispenses an exact amount of each ingredient in a dish, which Chipotle said can improve accuracy and consistency. Chipotle said in July it would instruct workers to serve “correct and generous portions” after customers, particularly those ordering online, complained about skimping.

Chipotle says it has invested money from a $100 million venture fund into the companies it partnered with for the two new systems — Vebu for the Autocado and Hyphen helped create its new Augmented Makeline. 

Additionally, while the peeling avocados are currently being tested, a burrito assembly system will be introduced at Corona del Mar, California. Feedback from the restaurant workers and customers will help determine the future pilot plans for the robots, according to Curt Garner.

The Augmented Makeline is testing in a Corona del Mar, California store (3050 Est Coast Hwy). It will use automated technology to build bowls and salads for customers on a line beneath the usual prep area. According to Bloomberg, the Augmented Makeline also adjusts ingredients based on the customers’ selections. For example, it automatically regulates portions for an order with several sauces, sour cream, guacamole, and cheese dip, so the result isn’t soupy.

Moreover, bowls and salads account for 65 percent of Chipotle’s digital orders—and aim to free up crew members to focus on creating other products.

Chipotle’s choice to use robotics highlights a push to make restaurants more efficient. The robots take time-consuming or undesirable tasks off workers’ plates, according to Chipotle, which means employees can focus on prepping other food items or helping customers. This type of technology can also allow restaurants to serve more diners per hour without necessarily hiring more staff, boosting profit.

According to The Observer, the Autocado is expected to use around 5.18 million cases of avocados this year across locations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.