White Castle first announced a pilot program with Flippy in July 2020.
Flippy.
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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.
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Flippy works by moving back and forth in the kitchen while attached to an overhead rail.
Flippy.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Flippy 2 manages the fryer station, allowing back-of-house fast-food workers to focus on other tasks.
Fry basket.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This allows allows less interaction between people and food, also reducing potential contaminations.
Flippy puts french fries into the oil.
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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.
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Flippy is also customizable, with more than 120 different configurations depending on a specific restaurant's needs.
Flippy handles several fryers at once.
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Miso also just released Flippy Wings, which makes chicken wings using the same process.
Flippy transferring wings.
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Buffalo Wild Wings started testing Flippy Wings this fall.
Flippy Wings
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White Castle and Flippy are part of a recent wave of AI and automation coming to fast food.
Flippy in the kitchen.
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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.