Wonder launches robotic meal assembly system

Wonder, the restaurant technology startup founded by entrepreneur Marc Lore, has introduced its first robotic meal assembly system, named Infinite Makeline. This system aims to bring Lore's vision of an autonomous kitchen closer to reality, where meals like pizzas, burgers, and bowls can be prepared without direct human involvement.

Debuted at its Midtown East location in New York, the Infinite Makeline can autonomously assemble up to 500 bowls per hour using 68 ingredients. Wonder plans to deploy these machines in "tens of locations" across the Northeast, Washington metro area, and Texas by 2027. The company acquired the underlying technology from Spyce, which it bought from Sweetgreen last year.

Lore stated that the automation is intended to reduce labor and operating expenses, thereby increasing the throughput of a Wonder location and passing savings onto consumers. "The goal is to get the price of your food delivered to your door cheaper than getting deliveries and cooking," Lore told Fast Company, with the ultimate aim of feeding families 21 meals a week.

Wonder, which has raised $650 million in a recent funding round, operates a large network of locations and has made strategic acquisitions, including meal-kit company Blue Apron and delivery platform Grubhub. The company is also exploring advanced automation, including AI-driven meal recommendations and autonomous delivery via drones and other robotics.

While the Infinite Makeline handles a significant portion of the assembly, human involvement remains crucial for food preparation, restocking ingredients, and final packaging. Culinary professionals also provide input to refine the system's capabilities, ensuring food quality meets specific standards.