How automation can help our health

The technology applied to the kitchen or the hospitality industry is increasingly accessible to achieve improvements unimaginable just two decades ago …

While robots in restaurant kitchens may sound like the plot of a science fiction movie, technology is actually elevating food safety in our restaurants and other food businesses. There is a huge trend in the foodservice industry to remove humans from safety management and replace them with technological solutions, such as robots and sensors.

In fact, technology tools – robotics and artificial intelligence, data analytics, the Internet of things, etc. – are already having huge positive implications for supply chain management and food safety. This is just the beginning.

Restaurant workers can contaminate food. Now, we can reduce these risks thanks to automation. Robots are programmed to do the same things, in the same way each time, giving us consistency that we cannot get from human workers.

For example, a hamburger turning robot can be programmed to avoid cross contamination, use only sanitized equipment, and cook hamburgers to the proper temperature. Sensors can immediately detect potential problems that could cause food safety violations, such as refrigerators rising above a preset temperature, freezer doors being inadvertently left open, and meats not being cooked at appropriate (safe) temperatures.

Today we bring the case of “Flippy” -the first hamburger made by a theftt released in March at a Caliburger restaurant in California. Capable of grilling 150 burgers per hour, the robot was praised for being cost-effective, efficient, and capable of safely and consistently preparing food for restaurant customers.

The robot was designed to take orders through a digital ticket system, then automatically turn the burgers and remove them from the grill.

Flippy uses XNUMXD and thermal sensors, cameras and digital ordering systems to detect every step of the process, such as when raw patties are placed on the grill. The robot then monitors each burger throughout the entire cooking process. While Flippy can expertly (and automatically) handle burger flipping, your human co-workers still need to place the burgers on the grill, put the ingredients (cheese, lettuce, sauce), and wrap the burgers for customers.

Another case is that of SpyceA highly innovative Boston restaurant, human chefs have been replaced by robots, thanks to robotic engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who partnered with Michelin star chef Daniel Boulud in this effort.

In the restaurant’s kitchen, seven robots cook guests’ meals in three minutes or less. Once guests place their orders, an automated delivery system collects ingredients from the restaurant’s kitchen. The machines portion the ingredients in the correct amounts and deliver them to a robotic wok, which is programmed to cook the food to the proper temperatures. After cooking is complete, the automatic wok tilts down to serve food.

Some innovative developments in the food industry

• Robots. Restaurants are using robots to cook and serve food, ensuring that food safety protocols are followed at all times. Automation means less contact with bare hands, less risk of contamination. Robots are programmed to perform tasks the same way each time, whereas humans are not as constant.
• Sensors. Sensors can monitor food safety, such as ensuring that food is kept at the proper temperature. Centralized and continuous refrigeration monitoring systems signal when temperatures in refrigerators or freezers rise above safe temperatures, reducing food spoilage and waste from malfunctioning units. Kitchen equipment with built-in sensors, such as innovative meat thermometers that change color when cooked at safe temperatures, make it easier and more accurate to confirm that food is being cooked properly and safely.
• Smart kitchen equipment. The latest refrigerators and ovens include wireless systems that automatically track and record temperatures. Virginia Tech is an early adopter of this high-tech equipment, as the school uses large storage coolers that automatically alert staff if temperatures rise above a certain point. This is important – it prevents food spoilage and potential foodborne illness outbreaks.
• Artificial intelligence. Predictive AI will be critical to analyzing supply chain data and using it to anticipate and identify problems before they cause harm. Future technologies will be able to identify product irregularities and / or potential safety violations to reduce or eliminate hazards in our food. This could prevent or reduce serious illnesses, like the (two!) Recent widespread romaine lettuce outbreaks in the United States. Technology has the potential to identify, track and evaluate the problems that have caused widespread safety problems in our food. Large amounts of food – including ground beef, chicken and turkey – have been recalled in recent months due to concerns about E. coli and salmonella. We need to adopt technical solutions that can identify potential safety issues earlier in the process, before potentially dangerous foods are shipped, sold and served.
• The Internet of Things. The IoT, connected sensors that transmit large amounts of data, is revolutionizing the supply chain. Food businesses will be in a better position to track their products and identify and address any operational issues. The IoT will significantly improve transparency and visibility. The sensors will carefully monitor products throughout the supply chain life cycle to identify and address any potential food safety issues or concerns.

Everyone in the food industry – from the farmers who grow our food to the restaurant chefs who prepare it – must use and adopt technological tools. Although some technology solutions may not be viable for all businesses, it is clear that not all restaurants can afford a $ 60.000 robot, as Flippy-Tech technology solutions are becoming more common, accessible and affordable.

Even if your restaurant can’t afford a robot to turn hamburgers, many food companies can use more cost-effective solutions: digital checklists that enhance their internal safety inspections, food thermometers with sensors to ensure food is cooked to temperatures. equipment and sensors that notify company management of a protocol disruption, such as when the refrigerator temperature rises above a set temperature. Technology is helping to keep food safer.