White Castle's burger-flipping robot, Flippy, is getting an upgrade. See how it works.
Mary Meisenzahl
Flippy's fryers.Miso Robotics
- Miso Robotics just released an update of its Flippy fast-food robot.
- Flippy has worked at a Chicago White Castle since last summer.
White Castle's robot cook, Flippy, is getting an update with Flippy 2 from Miso Robotics.
Flippy's arm and gripper.
Miso Robotics
Source: Insider
White Castle first announced a pilot program with Flippy in July 2020.
Flippy.
Miso Robotics
The original model could place baskets in the fryer, shake baskets in oil, and monitor for appropriate cooking time to make chicken tenders and tater tots.
Flippy.
Miso Robotics
Flippy works by moving back and forth in the kitchen while attached to an overhead rail.
Flippy.
Miso Robotics
Flippy can take over some of the more dangerous kitchen tasks, like deep frying, behind a safety shield to protect staff from hot oil.
Flippy.
Miso Robotics
Flippy 2 takes up even less space in the kitchen than the original, with 56% less intrusion into aisles, and a 13% height reduction.
The entire Flippy system.
Miso Robotics
Flippy 2 also "increases production exponentially with its new basket filling, emptying and returning capabilities," Miso Robotics CEO Mike Bell said in a statement.
Flippy picking up french fries.
Miso Robotics
Flippy 2 manages the fryer station, allowing back-of-house fast-food workers to focus on other tasks.
Fry basket.
Miso Robotics
It also has a new bin system for frying lower volume items like onion rings, chicken fingers, or even vegetables and other dishes.
Flippy placing onion rings.
Miso Robotics
Flippy uses AI to identify the food in the bin, pick it up, distribute it in the fryer, and move into the holding area after cooking.
Flippy's fryers.
Miso Robotics
Flippy handling the transfers itself reduces potential injuries from hot oil that can happen when workers have to lift and move baskets.
Flippy making fries.
Miso Robotics
This allows allows less interaction between people and food, also reducing potential contaminations.
Flippy puts french fries into the oil.
Miso Robotics
Miso says that the robot can fry up to 60 additional baskets per hour over the previous model thanks to these new efficiencies.
Flippy's fryers.
Miso Robotics
Flippy is also customizable, with more than 120 different configurations depending on a specific restaurant's needs.
Flippy handles several fryers at once.
Miso Robotics
Miso also just released Flippy Wings, which makes chicken wings using the same process.
Flippy transferring wings.
Miso Robotics
Buffalo Wild Wings started testing Flippy Wings this fall.
Flippy Wings
Miso Robotics
White Castle and Flippy are part of a recent wave of AI and automation coming to fast food.
Flippy in the kitchen.
Miso Robotics
McDonald's is working with IBM to automate drive-thru orders, and Agot AI is pitching its services using computer vision to monitor fast food workers.
Flippy fryers.
Miso Robotics
Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.
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