Pasadena Robotics Company Helping Improve Hygiene in Restaurant Kitchens

The Pasadena-based company behind Flippy, the burger-cooking robot, is adding a hand scanner to its autonomous kitchen assistant to try to help improve hygiene in restaurants.

Miso Robotics says it will include PathSpot hand scanning technology in restaurants and foodservice locations where Flippy will be deployed.
Flippy made its debut in March 2018 at CaliBurger at 245 E. Green St. in Pasadena.

The idea is an employee would wash his/her hands, then use the PathSpot device for a two-second cleanliness check. If contaminants are detected, the employee would be instructed to rewash and rescan.

Dr. Ryan Sinnet, Miso Robotics Chief Technology Officer, told Pasadena Now the tech doesn’t sterilize or clean hands, but “can identify if there’s any contamination … did they actually clean their hands thoroughly.”

PathSpot says its technology has helped its customers reduce contamination rates by 97 percent after six months.

Buck Jordan, CEO of Miso Robotics, said in a statement, “PathSpot’s hand scanning devices, paired with Flippy, take things one step further in reducing food contamination, giving consumers and workers the confidence needed to reignite takeout and delivery, while giving restaurants a way to attract customers back to their locations. We are excited about this strategic partnership that will get both of our solutions into the hands of some of the biggest name brands in food service.”

Sinnet said the Flippy-hand scanner combo is expected later this year. “We’re planning to roll out with a new customer, which we haven’t announced yet. A recognized national brand.”

He said a price point has not been established, but considering many restaurants have been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, “financing is an amazing option.”