What is the Role of Robots in Gastronomy?
摘要
This chapter explores the expanding role of robots in gastronomy, from food preparation and service to home delivery. Technological advances have enabled robots to perform tasks ranging from flipping burgers to crafting sushi, while raising important economic, social, and psychological questions. Although automation offers efficiency gains, challenges remain, including high costs, maintenance demands, and mixed consumer acceptance. The chapter considers how robotic precision compares with the valued human touch, and how anthropomorphic design (and naming) influences perceptions of robot-prepared food. Concerns about job security in the hospitality sector persist, though the long-term impact of automation remains uncertain. The discussion also connects with the previous chapter describing the rise of AI-generated recipes, increasingly found in cookbooks and online platforms, often without disclosure, and not always with successful results. As younger generations turn to social media rather than traditional recipes, and food delivery robots appear in cities, the chapter reflects on a future where robotics may further reshape culinary practices in the years ahead. That said, price and maintenance costs will likely limit the widespread uptake of robots in gastronomy and their value may be as much experiential as practical.