"Chipotle's Autocado: Revolutionizing Guacamole Prep with Robotic Efficiency"

Chipotle Mexican Grill has developed a robot called Autocado in partnership with Vebu Labs, a robotics startup, to cut, core, and peel avocados used in its guacamole. The robot could reduce the preparation time for guacamole by half, addressing the labor shortage in the restaurant industry. Chipotle's $50 million venture arm, Cultivate Next, is also investing in Vebu. The Autocado can hold up to 25 pounds of avocados and slices them in half, removes the core and skin, while employees can hand mash and mix the fruit with other ingredients. The robot is expected to be tested in Chipotle restaurants later this year and could potentially save millions of dollars on avocados annually.