McDonald's has begun testing its first-ever robotic restaurant in the US state of Texas, in a move that paves the way for employee layoffs.
And the "foodiemunster" account - on TikTok - published a video documenting the progress of the purchase process from the McDonald's branch in Fort Worth, Texas, fully automatically.
@foodiemunster
@McDonald's has a new test concept
♬ Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
The video shows how customers can use the automated screens to order and collect fast food via a machine.
I've literally been here.
It's in a white settlement in Fort Worth.
The only thing that's automated is the Order Ahead Lane, lol.
https://t.co/4p1k4K1zcw pic.twitter.com/Rhj3mgBF5x
— Naomi A. (@innominace) December 23, 2022
According to the American magazine "Newsweek" newsweek, the Fort Worth branch is the first ever McDonald's robotic restaurant in Texas, as it is already fully automated and does not require any human contact to order your favorite meal.
The restaurant also includes new features, including the "Order Ahead lane", where customers can receive their orders on a conveyor belt, in an innovative move to improve customer experiences.
the fully automated mcdonald's simply having a conveyor belt from the kitchen where humans are very much cooking the burgers behind the scenes has amazing parallels with ai art https://t.co/t2QNK4ki70
- laura (@freezydorito) December 22, 2022
Customers' opinions differed regarding the automation of the restaurant, as followers considered the step as the beginning of automated restaurants at a time when employees will be laid off and minimum wages will be provided.
You asked for $25 minimum wage
You get: First fully automated McDonalds in Texas pic.twitter.com/hd5AsBTOwX
— ELIJAH (@ElijahSchaffer) December 22, 2022
Others met it with sarcasm, as one of them said that he would miss the discussions that were taking place between customers and employees.
McDonald's tests automated drive-thru restaurant concept where there will be no more human interactions‼️👀 pic.twitter.com/qUF2B7iUSZ
- Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) December 22, 2022
The robotics revolution
The robotics industry is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, and it is estimated that this sector could be worth $260 billion by 2030, as reported by the future learn platform.
In 2021, the total number of robotic units will reach 12 million units worldwide, and a significant 12% rise in robot shipments from 2020 to 2022 worldwide has been observed.
The robotics industry has successfully employed more than 150,000 skilled workers globally, and 88% of industries plan to shift to robotic automation in all aspects of their IT infrastructure, according to Enterprise Engineering Solutions.