Robotics and the Future of Restaurants and Eating Places
Overview
The application of robotics in the restaurant and catering industry promises to revolutionize different processes, improving efficiency, driving down costs, and significantly transforming the dining experience. Among the key statistics covered in this guide include expected growth of robots in the hospitality sector, employment projections, cost benefits, and the advent of robotic chefs and service robots.
The Rise of Robotics in Restaurants
According to the McKinsey Global Institute, an estimated 75 million to 375 million people may need to switch occupational categories by 2030 due to automation. In the hospitality industry, restaurants are among the pioneers leveraging robotics technology for various operations. A Juniper Research study projected AL-enabled hardware, including restaurant robotics, would reach $10 billion in sales by 2023. Such systems have already proved beneficial, with service robots helping restaurants scale up operations and increase service speed, improving the dining experience.
Robotics and Employment in Restaurants
While critics fear robotics could take over jobs, the World Economic Forum indicates that robots could create 12 million more jobs than they destroy by 2025. Therefore, instead of eliminating jobs, robots may result in job displacement, where workers transition to new roles. Emphasizing the need for training and equipping restaurant staff with necessary digital skills is crucial to ensure a seamless transition and maintain a human touch in an industry that greatly values guest service.
Cost Benefits of Robotic Applications
According to the International Federation of Robotics, one million professional service robots are expected to be deployed by 2022. These robots are anticipated to significantly drive down costs while increasing efficiency. For instance, robotic chefs and bartenders are expected to reduce labor costs. Moreover, robots like 'Flippy,' a robotic kitchen assistant, are estimated to pay for themselves in less than a year, thus signifying the significant cost benefits of the robotic application in the industry.
Advent of Robotic Chefs and Service Robots
Robot waiters and chefs are no longer a fantasy. The 'Naulo' restaurant in Nepal features three humanoid robots developed by a local tech company while 'RoboChef' in Iran is completely run by robots. Such innovations improve operational efficiency and allow restaurants to accommodate more customers. Furthermore, they minimize human error, ensuring a consistently high standard of service.
Key Takeaways
- The restaurant industry is increasingly adopting robotics to boost efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Future job projections indicate more occupational shifts rather than job loss due to automation.
- Cost benefits of robotic applications in the restaurant industry are significant, with robots such as 'Flippy' paying for themselves within a year.
- The rise of robotic chefs and service robots is transforming the dining experience, offering operational efficiency and consistent service.
Meet 3Laws Robotics, a company spearheading innovations in robotics software. At 3Laws, we focus on developing solutions that enhance safety and reliability in robotics systems, addressing critical pain points, such as certification. Our software, 3Laws Supervisor, simplifies the process by offering strong safety features and evidence of system robustness, hence facilitating the certification path.
The 3Laws Supervisor is built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a Caltech-developed technology that provides mathematically provable safety. We have showcased the potential of our technology through several use cases across diverse industries, with a notable highlight being our aid to an autonomous forklift customer, leading to a 40% efficiency gain and a 6-month payback period.
Our systems are adaptable and can operate across various platforms, including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators. Powered by popular robotic middleware such as ROS and ROS2, 3Laws Robotics is positioned as a next-generation safety solution, offering dynamic, predictive safety that goes beyond traditional e-stop methods, unlocking the full potential of robotics.