Modern technology already plays a significant role in every aspect of our lives, including how we order and receive food. This has been especially true since the COVID-19 pandemic, which inspired a wave of popularity in meal delivery services and no-contact interactions. Now, Chick-fil-A is taking “contactless delivery” to a whole new level. They recently announced that they’ll be testing out delivery robots in several states. Woah!
The fan favorite chicken restaurant has teamed up with a tech company called Refraction AI to create a fully automated delivery in which robots will bring your spicy chicken biscuit directly from the restaurant to you. This technology is being tested in Austin, Texas, as well as California and Florida, according to WSB-TV.
Here’s how it works: When you order delivery from Chick-fil-A at participating locations, your order will be delivered by wheeled robot who will have your sandwiches handy in a locked compartment. Refraction AI’s website says that these robots “pick up goods from places like restaurants, pharmacies, and grocery stores and bring them directly to your house, enabling faster, cheaper, and safer delivery to meet customer’s growing expectations.” Interesting!
Of course, the interaction is completely contactless. "Contactless delivery means there is zero physical interaction between our guest and a human being once your food leaves the restaurant - with Refraction AI, your delivery is entirely robotic! That means your order isn’t changing hands any more times than absolutely necessary," the website continues.
These robots are super smart and capable, too. They can withstand just about any type of weather, and can even navigate their journey swiftly and avoid collisions so as not to run into any accidents on their way to you. You can have peace of mind knowing your chicken sandwich and waffle fries will arrive safely and soundly! Once your robot has arrived at your door, you'll receive a text message containing the code that will open the compartment in which your meal has been stored.
If this development says anything about the future of technology and fast food, it seems that there are many exciting things to look forward to!
