Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) kicked off the week on the upside, by announcing today Autocado, its avocado processing cobotic prototype developed in partnership with Vebu that cuts, cores, and peels avocados before they are hand mashed to create the restaurant’s signature guacamole, and the Augmented Makeline, a cobotic makeline built in collaboration with Hyphen, are being tested in Chipotle restaurants for the first time. Autocado is currently operating at Chipotle’s Huntington Beach, Calif. location at 20972 Magnolia St and the Augmented Makeline is being utilized at the company’s Corona del Mar (CDM), Calif. location at 3050 East Coast Hwy.
“These cobotic devices could help us build a stronger operational engine that delivers a great experience for our team members and our guests while maintaining Chipotle’s high culinary standards,” said Curt Garner, Chief Customer and Technology Officer. “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.”
Vebu and Chipotle worked closely with Certified Training Managers from Chipotle’s restaurants to analyze the company’s preparation process and identify tasks that are time consuming and less favorable among crew members. In the Huntington Beach restaurant where Autocado is operating, crew members can focus on assisting with other food prep items and delivering exceptional hospitality to guests while Autocado cuts avocados, removes their skin, and separates their fruit through an automated process.
CMG shares spiked $1.15, or 2.1%, to $57.28.