Columbus, OH – A new wave of innovation is heating up the pizza industry in Ohio, where robotic arms are now taking the lead in the kitchen.
Apptronik, a robotics company based in Austin, Texas, has deployed its automated pizza-making system in a Columbus-area test kitchen this week, turning heads with its precision and speed in assembling pepperoni pies.
According to company officials, the robots are designed to handle repetitive tasks such as spreading sauce, layering cheese, and placing toppings before the pizzas go into an automated oven. The system, developed in partnership with restaurant operators, is part of a growing trend aimed at addressing labor shortages and improving consistency in the food service industry.
Apptronik’s latest model, seen in photos released Tuesday, features articulated robotic arms equipped with custom grippers and smart sensors that coordinate the preparation of each pizza from start to finish. A spokesperson said the current trial is focused on improving efficiency while maintaining food quality and safety.
The robotic kitchen is operating in a closed environment for now but is expected to expand to select quick-service restaurants later this year. The company did not disclose which chains will participate in the pilot program.
Ohio is quickly becoming a testbed for food tech, thanks to its mix of urban and suburban communities and its logistical centrality in the Midwest.
Whether robot-made pizza becomes the new normal or remains a novelty, the experiment underway in Columbus marks a bold step into the future of fast food.
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