Finding Automation

McDonald's Robot Drive Thru In Texas

Keegan Dillon • Jan 06, 2023

McDonald’s robotic drive-thru service in Texas

McDonald’s is currently testing a robotic drive-thru service in Texas. This drive-thru restaurant is focused on pick-up and delivery services but not the dine-in experience. This experimental McDonald’s restaurant is located in Fort Worth, Texas, for customers planning to eat on the go or dine at home.
McDonald's Automated Server

Via Instagram: @Foodie_Munster

Fast Food Automation

The smaller than traditional McDonald’s is not fully automated but requires no human interaction to order or pick up your food. Orders are made inside the restaurant at a kiosk, in the drive-thru, or on the McDonald’s app. Customers then receive their food and beverage orders on a conveyor belt. If you want curbside pick-up, outside of the restaurant, there are multiple parking spaces for this as well.

Watch the video below that describes the customer experience. It is similar to a human-staffed McDonald’s with touchscreen kiosks inside the restaurant, but this has automated machine servers when you pick up your food.

The Future Of Restaurant Automation

This restaurant is not 100% automated, as humans still cook and prepare fast food orders inside the building. The food preparation tasks still need to be performed by humans, but some customers are concerned this automation will put more people out of work. This new process has divided many people who are skeptical about the change and lack of human interaction.

Currently, McDonald’s has no plans to test the automated process in other locations around the United States other than this first location in Texas. The multibillion-dollar restaurant cha in is now focused on what they call “Accelerating the Arches.” This a growth strategy where they are trying to improve the customer experiences within their restaurants. They want to test and learn from new technologies and concepts to streamline the customer experience.
McDonald's Automated Drive Thru Restaurant

Via Instagram: @Foodie_Munster

This is a significant experiment for the largest fast food chain in the world. If this location becomes successful and the McDonald’s team can “test and learn” from this experiment in Texas, it could be a significant change for the company moving forward. The next step may be automating the food assembly process, but then morally, can the company or others like it be okay with the potential backlash of lost jobs?

Sources: Newsweek.

Engineers in Automation – Derrick Harrison| Episode 21
By Keegan Dillon 20 Apr, 2024
In this episode, we talk with Derrick Harrison, the co-owner of Seekers Technical. We talk about what makes his company unique compared to other staffing and recruiting firms. We discuss the onboarding process for clients and employees. We also discuss some of the lessons learned and mistakes he’s made as a new small business owner
By Keegan Dillon 25 Mar, 2024
In this episode, we talk with the President and CEO of TCIC Inc., Christine Frank. We have in-depth conversations about how to buy a business. We talk about the struggles that occur when new management takes over and how to keep employees happy. We discuss why she chose to purchase instead of going back to work for someone else, and we talk about the biggest challenges she’s faced as a business owner.
Alicia Gilpin | Process & Controls Engineering | Engineers In Automation - Episode 19.
By Keegan Dillon 06 Feb, 2024
In this episode, we talk with Alicia Gilpin (Ali G), the owner of Process & Controls Engineering LLC. We discuss how she started her career in automation, coming from a chemical engineering background. She discusses why she decided to start her company and how she plans to continue to build it. We also discuss her automation podcast and her way to get more kids involved with automation, through her non-profit organization.
By Keegan Dillon 07 Jan, 2024
Top 5 Industrial Robot Trends In 2024 Robots are becoming more sophisticated and skilled as robotic technology advances at an extraordinary rate. From industrial manufacturing to food and beverage and pharmaceutical, robots are being used in numerous industries to automate what were once manual tasks by improving inefficient production lines and enhancing overall productivity. With the year 2024 upon us, it's worth looking at the top five industrial robot trends that we can expect to see in the coming year.
Engineers in Automation – Jacob Sanchez| Episode 18
By Keegan Dillon 02 Jan, 2024
In this episode, we discuss with Jacob Sanchez how he got his start in the automation industry. We discuss why he thinks his social media following has grown so large and how to build your unique following. He also talks about becoming more comfortable in front of a camera and gives a few tips on public speaking. We also discuss his future plans for helping the younger generation get involved with manufacturing and automation
Engineers In Automation - Benjamin Bohn | Bohn Engineering Services
By Keegan Dillon 27 Dec, 2023
In this episode, we talk with Benjamin Bohn, Chief Engineer and Owner of Bohn Engineering Services. We discuss how he built his side gig, into a full-time engineering service business. We also talk about what he likes about being a business owner and some advantages he gets to enjoy during his free time as the owner of a company. We also talk about building his social media presence through memes.
Engineers In Automation - Vladimir Romanov | Episode 16
By Keegan Dillon 21 Nov, 2023
In this episode, we talk with Vladimir Romanov, the Co-Founder of SolisPLC. We discuss how running a blog and creating helpful YouTube videos then became an online PLC training company. We talk about the different types of online training programs offered and what he likes about being the owner of his own company. We also discussed how the current economic burdens affect companies' training budgets.
Engineers in Automation – Brennen Dugger | Episode 15
By Keegan Dillon 23 Oct, 2023
In this episode, we talk with Brennen Dugger, the President of Blue Collar Automation. We talk about why he started his company, how he finds new clients, and his goals for 2024. We also discussed how he plans to improve his work-life balance by developing better project management processes.
Liz Miller | Learn Robotics
By Keegan Dillon 07 Sep, 2023
In this episode, we talk with Liz Miller, the founder and CEO of Learn Robotics. We discuss how she got into automation and robotics and how she has grown her automation coaching platform. We also discuss the coaching paths her course allows the clients to pursue to improve their automation careers and how to prepare to land their dream automation job. We also talk about the future of the robot and automation industry.
Sean Dotson | Engineers In Automation
By Keegan Dillon 23 Aug, 2023
In this episode, we talk with Sean Dotson, the founder and former president of RND Automation. We discuss the automation industry in Florida and what lead him to start an automation company in his home state. We also discussed his likes and dislikes in the industry and what advice he would give someone interested in the automation industry.
More Posts
Share by: