Learn about the impact of automation in the world of fast food and how convenience may one day outweigh our desire for experiences.
In this episode our hosts discuss how technology in the fast food industry is making access to freshly-made, prepared food available 24/7 without stepping into a retail shop. They deliberate on how this is likely to change employment opportunities in the future, as well as consumer expectations around convenience, choice and independence.
Created in France and new to North America, use vending machines to serve patrons freshly made artisan pizzas in under three minutes, 24/7. After a customer orders from the 32-inch interactive screen, a robotic arm takes their 12-inch selection from the refrigerated section, conveys it into a patented oven where it is baked, then places it in a box and dispenses it to the customer - no tipping required!
Kiosk technology along with a mobile app allows customers to pick up their prescriptions at a machine, in as little as 30 seconds. These kiosks currently provide access to 600 prescription and over-the-counter medications. Medavail Technologies indicate that the self-serve machines accept all prescription insurance carriers and can process payments with debit or credit cards. The kiosks accept electronic as well as handwritten prescriptions and have an $8 dispensing fee, which is less expensive than that of most pharmacies.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In his popular TED talk he adds to this Future Lens podcast conversation by proposing that choice has not made us freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.
