Chipotle has announced the development of an automated digital "makeline" that uses robots to assemble bowls and salads to customer specifications. The system, developed in collaboration with kitchen technology company Hyphen, is currently being tested at the Chipotle Cultivate Center in California. The company plans to gradually roll out the technology in its restaurants, starting with locations in Southern California. The goal of the new system is not to replace human workers but to meet the increasing demands of online and in-store customers. Chipotle's chief customer and technology officer, Curt Garner, explained that the company is essentially operating like two restaurants in one. Digital sales accounted for about 38% of the company's sales in 2022, amounting to $3 billion. Chipotle has previously experimented with robotics, including a robotic avocado cutter and a robot that fries tortilla chips. The company claims that these innovations are intended to assist human employees with labor-intensive tasks. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of automation on job security and the working conditions of fast-food workers. Labor unions are advocating for workers to have a say in the automation process and to benefit from increased efficiency. For now, Chipotle's robots will work alongside human employees to fulfill orders.
