Chipotle tests robots to help prepare guac, salads at California restaurants after minimum wage hike

The Augmented Makeline enhances the efficiency of digital orders—approximately 65% of which are bowls or saladsPhoto byCourtesy Photo

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced the testing of two new cobotic prototypes aimed at improving efficiency in its restaurants. The Autocado, developed in partnership with Vebu, automates the cutting, coring, and peeling of avocados for the restaurant’s signature guacamole. This innovative device is currently operational at Chipotle's Huntington Beach, California location. Meanwhile, the Augmented Makeline, created in collaboration with Hyphen, is being tested at the Corona del Mar (CDM), California site, streamlining the assembly of bowls and salads.

At the Huntington Beach restaurant, Autocado enables crew members to concentrate on other food preparation tasks and customer service, while the machine efficiently processes avocados, taking approximately 26 seconds to fully flesh out each fruit. Chipotle anticipates using around 5.18 million cases of avocados, equivalent to 129.5 million pounds, across its locations this year.

The Augmented Makeline enhances the efficiency of digital orders—approximately 65% of which are bowls or salads—by automating the construction of these items while employees focus on preparing burritos, tacos, and other meals. This setup aims to improve accuracy and consistency for customers placing digital orders.

Curt Garner, Chipotle's Chief Customer and Technology Officer, highlighted the potential of these cobotic systems to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining high culinary standards. "Optimizing our use of these systems and incorporating crew and customer feedback are the next steps in the stage-gate process before determining their broader pilot plans," he stated.