In a move that could drastically reshape the fast-food job market, especially in states like California where the minimum wage has recently been raised to $20 an hour, a startup called Aniai has unveiled a robotic chef that cooks burgers at an astonishing speed.
Named the Alpha Grill, this robot can cook eight burgers in less than a minute, setting the stage for a future where machines could replace human cooks in fast-food kitchens.
Winning the 2023 Kitchen Innovation Award, the Alpha Grill is no ordinary burger-making machine.
It uses smart technology and sensors to perfectly cook each burger.
According to the article, “It grills the burgers perfectly every time, so there are no worries about overcooking or undercooking.”
These high-tech features allow the Alpha Grill to adjust its cooking style based on the size and thickness of the meat.
Unlike traditional grilling, the robot knows when the burgers are done and cooks both sides at once, so there’s no need to flip them.
After the robot cooks the patties, human workers step in to add the buns and toppings.
The machine also comes with eco-friendly features.
It cleans itself after each round of cooking and has a touch-screen monitor that helps human employees set cooking conditions.
This screen also shows useful information like how many burgers have been cooked, how much energy the robot uses, and any maintenance alerts.
As of now, the Alpha Grill is for commercial use only and has been installed in a Brooklyn, New York, restaurant.
But the company has big plans. It aims to introduce these burger-cooking robots in various settings like franchise restaurants, quick service spots, and school cafeterias across America.
While the Alpha Grill could be a big win for restaurant owners looking to cut labor costs and improve efficiency, it’s a concerning development for fast-food workers.
The robot’s ability to cook up to 200 burgers an hour could mean fewer hours and even job cuts for human workers, particularly in places where the cost of hiring has gone up due to higher minimum wages.
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