This robot-powered burger joint could put fast food workers out of a job

Tech Insider ^ | July 1st, 2016 | Melia Robinson

[Mariner]

A robot-powered burger joint is coming to San Francisco.

In 2012, secretive robotics startup Momentum Machines debuted a machine that could crank out 400 made-to-order hamburgers in an hour. It's fully autonomous, meaning the robot can slice toppings, grill a patty, and assemble and bag the burger without any help from humans. The internet flipped out.

Years of relative silence ensued, but in January, Hoodline's Brittany Hopkins learned that the San Francisco-based startup had applied for a building permit to convert a ground-floor retail space in the SoMa neighborhood into a restaurant.

Now it looks like the restaurant is actually happening. A job posting on Craigslist from early June gives us our first glimpse into how the company's future flagship, presumably opening soon, might work.

"This location will feature the world-premiere of our proprietary and remarkable new advances in technology that enable the automatic creation of impossibly delicious burgers at prices everyone can afford," the ad explains.

Just look at that burger:

[Mariner]

I prefer one of these burgers than the one prepared by the attitudinal ghetto resident.

Talk about a franchise opportunity...

[MUDDOG]

[R_Kangel]

..... So does this mean instead of complaining about hairs in our burgers we will now have to complain about finding machine parts?

[Mariner]

Yes.

And those who do not adjust will be obviated.

[ichabod1]

Oh heck yes. I saw a video for a robotic pizza startup. They’re going to build them, pre-cook them, load them into ovens in the pizza van, and finish cooking them en route. Perfect pizza in 15 minutes.

[lee martell]

A Bot-Burger may be convieniant sometimes, but other times, I enjoy a little pleasant human contact. Making eye contact, sharing a smile or a remark often adds to the experience.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

Does anyone know what they are planning to sell these things for?

At $15.00 an hour, vs $8.20 an hour if they sell them for $100,000 per device it would pay for itself in less than two years of continuous operation.

Does anyone know the average number of burgers per employee at your average franchise burger joint?

This could be a very cost effective alternative.

[RepRivFarm]

Yeah. Robots can’t spit on your burger if they don’t like the color of your skin or your “attitude.” I would not be surprised to see all robotic fast food joints in a few years.

[Calvin Locke]

But how’s a future Jesse “Shakedown” Jackson going to get his start if he can’t add his spit to burgers?

[nascarnation]

Caliph Baraq will be sad. I remember his grief over ATM machines...

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Why are they doing business in Ess Eff?

[justlurking]

Oh heck yes. I saw a video for a robotic pizza startup. They’re going to build them, pre-cook them, load them into ovens in the pizza van, and finish cooking them en route. Perfect pizza in 15 minutes.

There are actually pizza vending machines, that build and bake a pizza right in front of you. But, I don't think they are actually in use anywhere at the moment:

http://wonderpizzausa.com/
http://24-7pizzabox.com/
http://www.letspizza.co.uk/

It's been "coming soon" for a long time.

[nascarnation]

I assume the fast food workers there make relatively more in wages and benefits. So pick the low hanging fruit.

Also proximity to tech types for employees of the robot co.

[Trod Upon]

I prefer one of these burgers than the one prepared by the attitudinal ghetto resident.

Guess who will be responsible for keeping the kitchen clean and loading all the ingredients.

[nascarnation]

If you only need a couple employees, you can be more selective in who you employ.

[r_barton]

This guy? ;-)
https://youtu.be/rVlhMGQgDkY

[Truth29]

Hopefully, they can automate that as well such as having plug in modules that are preloaded in a central plant and replaced as needed based upon use. Cleaning could be, at least, somewhat automated, as well. Look at home automation vacs, for instance. They are not perfect, but they do remove much of the needed home labor.

[bigbob]

I’m waiting for the thread on FR about a 3D printer that can make a pizza from molecules in 19 hours or so.

[rdcbn]

There are actually pizza vending machines, that build and bake a pizza right in front of you. But, I don't think they are actually in use anywhere at the moment:

---

Try Quick Trip

They have a custom order pizza stand where they make your pizza right in front of you custom made in about 4 min.

Very good pizza too, BTW.

Similar concept to Krispy Cream donuts.

Ordered a dozen donuts and the lady working the counter pulled them directly off their continuous production line hot and fresh with the glaze still melted.

[r_barton]

How about a pizza cone? Cono Pizza:
http://www.konopizza.it/eng/