Chipotle Explores Robotic Automation for Burrito Bowls and Salads

Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing automation technology in collaboration with startup Hyphen to make burrito bowls and salads for digital orders. The technology moves the bowls underneath the digital make line to dispense the correct ingredients, while an employee assembles other items. Automation in the restaurant industry is seen as a way to cut down on labor costs and improve order consistency and speed, although the high cost of robotics and AI software means it may take years for the technology to pay off.