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Miso Robotics Inc. has introduced its latest innovation, the Flippy Fry Station robot, designed to streamline the cooking process for a variety of fried foods, including French fries, onion rings, and chicken. The system operates on Miso’s advanced Kitchen AI platform, marking a significant leap in automation for commercial kitchens.
Rich Hull, the CEO of Miso, emphasized the significance of the company’s experience in fry station automation, stating, “Being the first mover in fry station automation has brought years of successes, surely a few failures, and mountains of proprietary data and learnings for Miso.” He believes that the lessons learned over the years have culminated in the reliability of the new Flippy, which he asserts is the most dependable fry station automation product available today.
According to Miso, the Flippy Fry Station enhances the efficiency and precision of frying operations, promising a return on investment from the very first day of use. This potential for immediate ROI is particularly appealing as many quick-service restaurants (QSRs) navigate ongoing labor shortages.
New system improves safety to ‘unlock’ labor pool
Miso Robotics highlighted the inherent dangers associated with traditional frying stations, noting that nearly 80% of fast-food employees have experienced burns within the last year, based on a 2024 survey by Hart Research Associates for the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. The Flippy Fry Station, by unlike conventional frying equipment, can be operated by individuals under the age of 18, aligning with federal regulations and addressing staffing challenges faced by many restaurants.
Hull added, “At a time of massive labor disruption and restaurants’ inability to hire enough kitchen workers, the new Flippy creates immediate, provable customer ROI, while also unlocking much-needed additional pools of labor under federal guidelines by reducing the danger to workers.”
Flippy Fry Station is designed to be smarter, faster
The next-generation Flippy Fry Station integrates five years of research and development, protected by over 25 patents. It aims to address common operational hurdles faced by restaurants with several key features:
Scalable reliability: Miso claims that the Flippy has evolved from an experimental model into a scalable and reliable industrial product, emphasizing its dependability for restaurant operators.
Compact design: The new model offers a 50% reduction in size, facilitating integration into a broader array of kitchen configurations with minimal space requirements.
Installs in hours: The installation process has been significantly streamlined, now taking only a few hours compared to previous models, which required more extensive setup and permitting.
Enhanced vision and speed: Featuring a newly designed robotic arm and an AI vision system in collaboration with NVIDIA, the Flippy can manage more than 100 baskets per hour, nearly doubling human output.
Better team experience: An upgraded user interface, including LED indicators and a grease-resistant display, simplifies the onboarding process for employees and enhances their daily working conditions, potentially improving staff retention and attracting tech-savvy younger employees.
Other benefits: The foundational package offers 24/7 support in both English and Spanish, along with a warranty, preventive maintenance, and essential data services, while optional enhancements include point-of-sale (POS) integrations and additional data services.
Miso works with partners to address QSR needs
Miso Robotics has begun testing the new Flippy model in various White Castle locations since late 2024. Compared to its predecessor, the new Flippy exhibits enhanced reliability, speed, and a compact footprint that allows for easier installation in existing kitchens.
“With no upfront costs and a rental price of $5,400 per month, the new generation of Flippy generally costs less than the equivalent full-time employees, so there is little downside for restaurant operators,” commented Dennis Lock, Miso’s head of sales. He further indicated that the Flippy could lead to significant cost reductions and increased revenue for restaurants through improved operational efficiency and reduced food waste.
Rob Seely, assistant vice president of WD Partners, a consultancy in the food industry, noted, “In a market where labor shortages and labor costs can no longer be passed onto customers through menu price increases, Flippy and kitchen automation provide the restaurant industry’s best solution.”
Further rollouts for the Flippy Fry Station are planned for additional White Castle locations, as well as Jack in the Box and other major brands throughout early 2025.
Ecolab makes Flippy Fry Station easier to clean, adds channel
Ecolab, known for its hygiene solutions, is one of Miso’s investors and has played a crucial role in the development of the Flippy Fry Station. Their assistance has enhanced the cleaning processes and food safety features of the robot.
Moreover, Ecolab not only promotes Flippy rentals through its dedicated sales team but also provides support through its extensive network of over 6,000 sales professionals, further broadening the accessibility of the Flippy technology to restaurants.
Source
www.therobotreport.com