USA - Chipotle Mexican Grill is introducing new robotic technology at two of its California locations to speed up food preparation processes. 

The fast-casual chain has unveiled two machines: the Autocado and the Augmented Makeline, designed to enhance efficiency while maintaining its culinary standards.

The Autocado, a collaborative robot or "cobot," aims to simplify guacamole preparation by cutting, coring, and peeling avocados. 

The machine, developed in collaboration with tech company Vebu, can peel and seed an avocado in 26 seconds. 

While human employees still mash the fruit, the robot significantly reduces the time-consuming task of prepping avocados, a necessary step as Chipotle processes around 5.18 million cases of avocados each year across its U.S., Canadian, and European locations. The machine is currently being tested in Huntington Beach, California.

The Augmented Makeline focuses on assembling digital orders. Operating below the standard prep line, this system automates the preparation of bowls and salads, which constitute about 65% of Chipotle's digital sales. 

The technology was developed in partnership with Hyphen, another tech firm, with support from Chipotle’s US$100 million Cultivate Next venture fund. The system is being trialed at a store in Corona del Mar, California, and is intended to free up employees for more complex orders like burritos and quesadillas.

According to Curt Garner, Chipotle’s Chief Customer and Technology Officer, the introduction of these cobotic devices could help optimize operations while providing better experiences for both customers and employees. Feedback from these trials will inform broader implementation decisions as the company explores further use of automation.

These advancements place Chipotle among a growing list of restaurants integrating robotics into their operations. Other chains like Sweetgreen and Taco Bell have also adopted automation to enhance food preparation and customer service.