• High-tech hospitality: Self-contained burger-making cell sets new benchmark in food service automation • IRB 360 FlexPicker and YuMi cobot join forces for flawless, hygienic, made-to-order meals • New ABB survey shows 89% of hospitality managers are open to robotic automation1 of tasks

ABB Robotics is serving up the future of fast food with BurgerBots - a groundbreaking new restaurant concept launched in Los Gatos, California. Designed to deliver perfectly cooked, made-to-order burgers every time, the automated kitchen uses ABB's IRB 360 FlexPicker® and YuMi® collaborative robot to assemble meals with precision and speed, while accurately monitoring stock levels and freeing staff to focus on customer experience.

"Integrating ABB robots with the BurgerBots restaurant concept demonstrates the incredible potential for automation beyond the factory floor," said Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics Division. "The food service industry is dynamic and demanding, and our technology brings industrial-grade consistency, efficiency and reliability to this space. When we asked the hospitality industry, 89% of managers and 73% of workers said they are open to the integration of robotics to automate tasks within their operations.2 By taking over repetitive and time-consuming tasks, robots allow staff to focus on what matters most - creating memorable dining experiences."

The compact robotic cell is a food automation first, seamlessly integrating two types of robots with an intelligent inventory monitoring system. As each order is received, a freshly cooked burger patty is placed onto a bun inside a burger box. This box is then positioned on a conveyor shuttle, which is tagged with a QR code. As it moves along the conveyor, the IRB 360 FlexPicker hygienically performs high-speed topping selection, guided by the data stored in the QR code. Next, the YuMi steps in to collaborate on the final assembly of the burger. The entire process takes just 27 seconds per burger.

ABB's robot controller also integrates seamlessly with non-robotic systems, enabling real-time ingredient inventory tracking - onions, tomatoes, lettuce and condiments - ensuring smooth operations and efficient kitchen management.

One of the greatest challenges facing restaurant owners today is attracting and retaining staff.3 High turnover, rising labor costs, and the repetitive nature of back-of-house roles continue to put pressure on hospitality businesses. Automation presents an opportunity not just to fill labor gaps, but to make foodservice jobs more sustainable and appealing by reducing tedious tasks and improving workflows.

Supporting this shift in mindset, a recent survey commissioned by ABB Robotics found that 67 per cent of hospitality workers agreed that robotics and automation should be used to reduce the amount of dull, dirty, dangerous work humans are doing in the hospitality industry4. While 63 per cent agreed that the idea of robotics making their job easier is exciting, 65 per cent agreed that they would welcome robots in their workplace if it meant a safer work environment.

BurgerBots is the brainchild of entrepreneur Elizabeth Truong, who sees the Los Gatos location as the first step in a broader commercial rollout. "The vision was to bring consistency, transparency, and efficiency to food service. For restaurant owners, it means better visibility of food costs, more accurate forecasting and - ultimately - better decision making. In the next five years, I believe that most restaurants will have some form of robotic automation, whether it's back-of-house preparation, assembly, or even front-of-house service. It will become less of a novelty and more of a necessity."

BurgerBots is the latest in a number of innovations in the food service industry supported by robotic technology. ABB's collaboration with RoboEatz on ARK - an autonomous robotic kitchen capable of preparing hundreds of meals with minimal human intervention - showcases the potential for high-efficiency, hygienic, and customizable food prep. Meanwhile, ABB is powering Makr Shakr's robotic bartenders, that will soon be expertly mixing drinks in venues around the world. Together, these applications demonstrate how robotics is transforming hospitality with speed and consistency.

The first BurgerBots cell is now open and operating at the chic Breaking Dawn/First Born restaurant in downtown Los Gatos, California. For more information, visit www.burgerbots.com.

1 Survey of 750 US hospitality managers and 1,250 hospitality workers, conducted by Censuswide for ABB (April 2025).
2 Survey of 750 US hospitality managers and 1,250 hospitality workers, conducted by Censuswide for ABB (April 2025).
3 The National Restaurant Association reported in 2024 that three out of four employees leave their roles within a year.
4 Survey of 750 US hospitality managers and 1,250 hospitality workers, conducted by Censuswide for ABB (April 2025).

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun'. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB's shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com

ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation as one of the world's leading robotics and machine automation suppliers, is the only company with a comprehensive and integrated portfolio covering robots, Autonomous Mobile Robots and machine automation solutions, designed and orchestrated by our value-creating software. We help companies of all sizes and sectors - from automotive to electronics and logistics - to outperform by becoming more resilient, flexible and efficient. ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation supports customers in the transition towards the connected and collaborative factory of the future, operating leaner and cleaner for a better future. The business area employs approximately 11,000 people at over 100 locations in approximately 53 countries. go.abb/robotics

BurgerBots is a next-gen food automation concept revolutionizing the fast-casual dining space. By combining robotics and precision engineering, BurgerBots delivers consistently high-quality burgers with speed, efficiency, and limited need for manual oversight. Designed for scalability and customer experience, the BurgerBots platform reduces operational costs, optimizes kitchen workflows, and ensures food safety - all while serving up the perfect burger, every time. Whether for high-traffic venues or on-the-go locations, BurgerBots is reshaping how the world thinks about fast food.