The Seattle-based Moto Pizza restaurant has found itself in a bind due to the failure of its robotic pizza-making system. Developed by the now-defunct Picnic, these robots became inoperative in May, following the company’s unexpected shutdown, leaving founder and CEO Lee Kindell contemplating the utility of his $160,000 (£118,000) investment.
Challenges in Automating Pizza Making
The concept of robotic pizza preparation has been fraught with issues, not just for Kindell. Various companies like Zume and Pazzi, both incorporating robotic arms in pizza production, have faced similar fates. Basil Street’s venture into pizza vending machines has also failed to hit the mark.
Despite fast food being seemingly ripe for automation, it’s been more challenging than anticipated. Automation in pizza restaurants also poses a potential threat to entry-level jobs, sparking debate over the industry’s direction.
Sara Senatore, a senior restaurants analyst at Bank of America, acknowledges the underperformance of robotic pizza initiatives compared to expectations. She highlights the efficiency of human pizza makers over their robotic counterparts, who tend to make operational errors.
Kindell’s Vision for Full Automation
Though discouraged by Picnic’s failure, Kindell remains optimistic about automation’s future. Originally forced to explore machine use due to an injury, he now seeks to create his automated pizza-making machine. While he refrains from disclosing specifics, he hints at a design inspired by 3D printing that could be operational by summer 2027.
Despite lacking robotics experience, Kindell believes that past endeavours have generated valuable data. He maintains that the evolution of technology will eventually enable successful automated pizza production.
Meeting Demand for Speed and Consistency
The push for high-speed pizza-making technology continues elsewhere. Canadian company Appetronix has introduced a 24/7 robotic pizza kiosk at Ohio’s John Glenn Columbus International Airport for Donatos pizza. Co-founder Nipun Sharma is working on further enhancements, including a rapid sauce application method, aiming for pizzas to emerge in one-minute intervals.
Sharma feels confident catering to chain markets, where consistency is paramount. However, this approach raises concerns about the potential erosion of the human element in dining experiences – a sentiment reflected by Paul Giannone of Paulie Gee’s pizza restaurants, who remains committed to traditional customer service.
The Future of Pizza Robotics
Despite the setbacks, the realm of pizza robotics continues to evolve, driven by intellectual properties and innovations famous companies have pioneered. Miso Robotics, for instance, acquired Zume’s patents and aims to integrate these technologies into its existing product line, like its “Flippy” French fry-cooking bot.
The impacts of pioneering technological efforts in the pizza industry are far from diminished. Kindell remains determined to realise a fully autonomous pizza robot, acknowledging that it’s simply a race to see who achieves this milestone first.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.