Automation in restaurants is here, and taking over the kitchen and dining experience! In the best way possible. Restaurant proprietors are now capitalizing on fully automated commercial kitchens, pre-programmed to run like a fine machine, humming softly and hugging corners with precision. With a responsive system for climate and mood controls, and sure-handed robots working behind the scenes, an exciting new realm of possibility is emerging in the culinary world.
Oui, Chef!
The Robot Chef receives commands from the centrally automated kitchen. Computerized programs store hundreds of recipes for the robot to draw from. The Human Chef can modify programs to meet the volume of orders. The Human Chef is also freed to experiment with new recipes and stock the kitchen with higher quality ingredients, because of cost reduction, discussed more below. A happy and creative Chef, using top of the line ingredients, turns out culinary perfection.
Safety and Rewards
The investment into a robotic kitchen comes with a high price tag, but the projected return should meet and exceed the initial cost. With Robots, jobs that carry the most risk to employees can be reduced. Tasks in the kitchen that involves working near heat and sharp objects can actually be done by Robotic arms. This frees up employees to focus on customer service, creativity and other management aspects of a cafe or restaurant. That, in turn, saves on labor costs. If workers compensation insurance costs and claims are pushed down by a lower risk factor, then that will free up dollars to go toward human employees. Additionally, if a robot is doing a high-risk job for free, then the jobs that require more humanity, so to speak, should see a rise in pay grade.
Clean and Sterile
There is also a strong argument for minimizing the times food is touched in commercial kitchens by the time it is delivered to the patron who ordered it. Some robot kitchens, like Creator in San Francisco, have a fully automated line to assemble burgers in only 6 minutes. The meat is ground, seasoned and cooked to order. Veggies are chopped, the bun is toasted, and it is all assembled and placed in the biodegradable box before it leaves the sterile confines of the kitchen unit. The food is delivered, untouched by blue nitrile gloved human hands.
Climate and Mood
A fully automated kitchen can include aspects other than robotic chefs that you wouldn’t usually think of. Accouterments like climate and lighting control, window shading, and pre-programmed music are other options available in a “Smart” or automated restaurant. Smart-thermostats are pre-programmed to sense a rise in temperature and adjust accordingly over time, keeping the kitchen cool and saving energy in unison. Scenes can be set for mood and lighting design of a dining room, according to the hour of the day. When the cafe opens for dinner, a few taps of a wall mounted control panel will turn on ambient music and lighting, as well as adjust the position of the window shades, saving time and energy.
Freedom and Management
An owner or manager of the commercial kitchen can set the doors and alarms to lock and unlock at certain times of the workday, at the exact time the staff is set to arrive or leave. This eliminates the need to distribute keys and alarm codes. Ovens and other heated surfaces can be activated in advance as well, so the kitchen is ready to go. With certain duties done remotely from a phone app or computer, managers can be freed up for marketing and other creative strategies.
Creative Hospitality
Robotic automation of the kitchen is designed to enrich human lives, offering the freedom to live more creatively. The commercial kitchen will ideally reduce the risk of injury to workers and increase wages, while at the same time allow more liberty for culinary professionals to interact with patrons and use their energy for implementing creative strategies. Additionally, the efficiency of an automated kitchen makes guests happy because they get nutrient-rich, clean, delicious food, in an aesthetically pleasing environment. Robots just might be the ideal design strategy for your restaurants and eateries now, and for years to come.
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Acoustic Architects, founded by Aaron Flint and Spencer Hauldren, design automated spaces to seamlessly enhance their clients’ lifestyles with the addition of smart-home technology. Flint and Hauldren coined their concept, “Responsive Living,” which allows you to interact with your space via touch input, voice command, and predictive automation, adding value and attractiveness to your home.
If you would like to learn more about automating your commercial space, feel free to connect with us. We will be happy to schedule a demo with you.
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