5 tech things: Levy to debut next-gen fan f&b experience at new Los Angeles arena

In this special edition of its 5 Things series, Food Management highlights five recent technology-related developments affecting the foodservice world.

Here’s your list for today:

 1.    New LA Clippers arena to offer leading edge f&b service

The NBA's Los Angeles Clippers have teamed up with hospitality partner Levy to launch the tech-heavy, sustainability-focused 310 Provisions f&b platform at the team's Intuit Dome home arena, which is scheduled to open this summer. The venue includes a 14,000 sq.ft. main kitchen—which is nearly twice the size of the industry average—multiple commissaries strategically located throughout the building to support distribution, a dozen exhibition kitchens in premium spaces, and energy-efficient kitchens in 65% of fan locations to continually offer fresh-cooked menus. On the general concourses, 100% of the food locations are frictionless, compared to 15% at other arenas around the world.

Read more: LA Clippers and Levy Launch 310 Provisions to Transform Food and Beverage Expectations at Intuit Dome 

2.    World's first fully autonomous, AI-powered restaurant set to debut

Restaurant company Cali Group in partnership with automation firm Miso Robotics and biometrics firm PopID is planning to open CaliExpress by Flippy, which it terms the world's first fully autonomous restaurant, in Pasadena, Calif. The restaurant will feature fully automated grill and fry stations powered by proprietary artificial intelligence and robotics. Guests will watch their food being cooked robotically after checking in with their PopID accounts on self-ordering kiosks to get personalized order recommendations and make easy and fast payments.

Related:5 things: Church steps in after fire closes school district’s kitchen

Read more: World's First Fully Autonomous, AI-Powered Restaurant Opening in Southern California

3.    Robot delivers food to skilled nursing center resident rooms

Eva, the first-ever robot deployed at Copley Health Center in Ohio, is being used to bring food and snacks to residents while delivering stress relief for the facility’s aides and nurses. Front office assistant Trinity Ritenour said that since Eva’s introduction, the mobile robot has transformed the facility’s ability to transport items like food or packages to and from residents’ rooms. “Before we had the robot, it was pretty stressful,” Ritenour said. “A lot of residents talk to [Eva] like she’s a person. It brings stuff to them faster. It’s a really helpful tool.”

Read more: This robot comes with snacks: Delivery model is a stress reliever for busy staff, admin says

Related:5 things: Nutrition staff returns to work after walkout in North Carolina school district

4.    Texas city trials using robots and drones for food bank deliveries

The City of Arlington, Texas has announced plans to trial drones and wheeled robots for food bank deliveries. The project, which will run to the end of 2025, aims to test the efficiency and scalability of using autonomous, electric delivery vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while serving residents in need. During the two-year study, around 300 boxes of food will be delivered via an Aerialoop drone and a Clevon autonomous delivery robot to Tarrant Area Food Bank clients living in East Arlington.

Read more: Arlington to pilot drones and robots for food bank deliveries

5.    AI-generated food images embarrass Uber Eats

Uber Eats is facing backlash after restaurants started using AI-generated food images in their menus and some of the results were utterly ridiculous. For example, one pizza restaurant's AI-generated image of its pizza pies shows pictures of actual pies (the dessert item) while also inventing a brand of Ranch dressing it calls "Lelnach". Inevitably, social media mockery ensued…

Read more: Uber Eats mocked over AI-generated food images and absurd new “Lelnach” dressing

Bonus: University of Southern Indiana rolls out ghost kitchen and robot vending machines

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]