Robotics and Food Tech

It’s clear that robotics will shape food systems. Traditionally, the biggest obstacle for adopting robotics has been cost.

Farms, manufacturers, and restaurants see the value in robotics technology to increase efficiency, but cost and retrofitting are obstacles to adoption.

Chef Robotics and Miso Robotics have adopted a SaaS model. Instead of upfront cap ex investment, they charge annual fees for maintenance and training.

This is a key opportunity with design partners like Chef Bombay, Amy’s Kitchen, and Sunbasket. Chipotle, Sweetgreen, and Kernel are benefiting from robotics in food services as well.

Chipotle’s partnership with Vebu Labs to deploy the Autocado has shown promise. The device can process an avocado in 26 seconds, much faster than a human.

Sweetgreen’s Infinite Kitchen are proving to be more profitable and effective than traditional stores.

Steve Ells, the Chipotle founder, has fully committed to plant-based cuisine at Kernel, his mostly automated restaurant concept for which he raised $36 million.

Robotics will greatly impact the food supply chain. Access to this machinery and innovation is the next step in food tech, whether a brand buys, builds, or rents.