Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Robotic Short Order Cook

Posted by emmett on from the cheeseburger-cheeseburger-cheeseburger dept.

MAXOMENOS writes "I found this in the Chicago Tribune: A robotic short-order cook. So far it makes burgers and pancakes to order, as long as you want them only one way." At least it's more useful than Twiki.

2 of 196 comments (clear)

  1. Silly Design by CaseyB · · Score: 4
    Perhaps this is intended only as a proof-of-concept, but a spatula-wielding arm is an extremely overcomplicated way of producing hamburgers and pancakes. Much cheaper (but admittedly less impressive) custom 'hamburger' or 'pancake' machines could accomplish the same work at several orders of magnitude less cost.

    An articulated arm is an extremely flexible tool that can be repurposed for the evolving needs of say, a car factory, where new vehicle models require that the same tools adapt to manufacturing new products. I don't think that the same requirements apply to a fast food restaurant.

    The real value of the robot would be as a 'hook' to attract customers to see it work, not it's raw savings in labour cost.

  2. I'd actually pay extra for this... by Guppy · · Score: 5

    I don't know about you, but I'd actually pay extra for a burger that was prepared "untouched by human hands". I once walked into fast food place (that shall remain nameless) during a slow part of the day, when I was the only customer. Right in front of me, two employees were flinging burgers at each other. The manager stood just a few feet away, watching the pair and laughing.

    You'll never have to worry if the machine has hepatitis, or maybe forgot to wash it's hands after going to the bathroom.