Challenges Arising from Robots Failing to Make Pizza
Two robots used at Moto Pizza in Seattle, USA, have become obsolete following the closure of their supply company. These robots were employed to knead dough, spread sauce, and sprinkle cheese at the Moto Pizza restaurant located in Seattle. The restaurant owner, Lee Kindel, had believed that human workers would no longer be needed as machines could perform all tasks faster and more efficiently. However, in May last year, the technology company supplying these robots suddenly shut down, halting technical support for manufacturing and maintenance. The large machines, purchased at a cost exceeding USD 160,000, now sit idle in a corner of the restaurant.
Yet, this is not the first time robots have failed to make pizzas. Over recent years, many similar companies have shut down after incurring losses. Popular companies like Zoom and Pazzi, which attempted pizza making using robotic arms, ended up unsuccessful. Likewise, Basil Street, a company producing automated pizza vending machines, also went out of business. While food service might seem straightforward, this work has proven far more challenging for robots than anticipated.
Why haven’t robots succeeded? According to Sara Senatore, a restaurant analyst at Bank of America, cooking robots remain neither fully mature nor sufficiently developed. They sometimes behave oddly, such as placing ingredients incorrectly on pizzas. Humans, on the other hand, work with greater care and precision. Moreover, restaurants are not just places for consuming food but venues where good service and warm ambiance are expected. Additionally, pizzas made with human affection and effort deliver a unique taste. When robots prepare food, the human connection between customer and restaurant is also at risk of disappearing.
Furthermore, if machines break down or jam when no staff are present, customers can become disappointed and frustrated. The problem escalates if the main robot manufacturing company closes, rendering the equipment completely unusable. Despite these numerous failures and losses, some entrepreneurs and engineers are not ready to give up. Lee Kindel of Moto Pizza himself is developing a new pizza robot that operates like a 3D printer. Drawing lessons from past failures, he asserts the upcoming robots will be more advanced and capable. Similarly, a company called Apetronics at an Ohio airport has launched a 24-hour robotic pizza unit. They are using laser and ultrasound technology to prepare for tasks like sauce spreading and pizza slicing in half a second. However, the success of this innovation is yet to be determined.