Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) has developed a robot that can cut, core and peel avocados used in its guacamole as the restaurant industry faces a sustained labor shortage.
Today, it takes roughly 50 minutes to make a batch of Chipotle’s guacamole. But the Autocado unveiled Wednesday could cut the prep time in half.
The fast-casual chain developed the collaborative robot, or cobot, in partnership with Vebu Labs, a California-based robotics startup. Chipotle also announced Wednesday that its $50 million venture arm, Cultivate Next, is investing in Vebu. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
The announcements come as the company and its rivals have experimented with robotics and other forms of automation. The broader restaurant industry is struggling with a shrinking workforce and rising wages.
To prepare avocados using the Autocado, Chipotle employees load up the device with a full case of the ripe fruit. The Autocado can hold up to 25 pounds at one time.
Then, the machine vertically orients the avocados, slices them in half and removes their cores and skin. A bowl at the bottom collects the fruit, which employees can then hand mash and mix with the rest of the guacamole ingredients.
Chipotle still wants employees to have a hand in making their guacamole.
The prototype is “very close” to design for manufacture, according to Garner. Chipotle expects to test the Autocado in restaurants later this year.
CMG shares took on $8.27 to $2,061.55.
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