Title

AWS re:Invent 2022 - Building the industrial kitchen of the future with Miso Robotics (ROB201)

Summary

• Deborah Mattaliano, AWS's global head for restaurant technology, introduces the session, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on the restaurant industry, including closures and job losses.
• She discusses the challenges faced by restaurants, such as increased drive-through and delivery orders, inflation, rising food costs, and labor shortages.
• Deborah suggests that robots could help restaurants return to a "flow state" of creativity and productivity by automating tasks and providing new skills and tools.
• Chris Kruger, CTO of Miso Robotics, shares his background and introduces Miso Robotics' suite of robotic solutions for quick-serve restaurants, including Flippy2, Chippy, CookRight, and Sippy.
• Miso Robotics' products aim to automate repetitive tasks, assist with other tasks, and help kitchens find their flow state.
• Chris discusses the technical challenges of developing Flippy, the integration of technologies, and the importance of simulation using AWS RoboMaker.
• He explains how AWS services, such as AWS Lake Foundation, AWS Glue, and AWS Greengrass, have helped Miso Robotics build a robust data platform and improve their products and customer support.
• Chris shares customer testimonials and Miso Robotics' plans for global expansion, including recent launches in the UK and Dubai.
• Deborah concludes by highlighting AWS's commitment to innovation and simulation, mentioning Amazon.com's use of RoboMaker and recommending a Taco Bell session on ML and forecasting for third-party delivery optimization.

Insights

• The restaurant industry has faced significant challenges due to the pandemic, but technology, particularly robotics, is seen as a potential solution to help the industry recover and innovate.
• Miso Robotics is leveraging AWS cloud services to handle the vast amounts of data generated by their robots, improve their products, and scale their solutions globally.
• The use of AWS services has enabled Miso Robotics to focus on their core business of robotics development while relying on AWS for data management, security, and scalability.
• Simulation plays a critical role in robotics development, allowing for rapid testing and iteration without the need for physical hardware, which can be costly and time-consuming.
• The integration of robotics in the kitchen is not just about automation but also about enhancing the creativity and consistency of food preparation, as seen with the customization of Chippy for Chipotle.
• AWS's ecosystem provides a supportive environment for robotics companies, with services that facilitate development and the potential for future advancements in machine learning and data analysis.
• The session demonstrates a real-world application of AWS services in the robotics industry and highlights the potential for further innovation in the restaurant sector through technology partnerships.