Panda Express Introduces Automation

As a growing number of restaurant chains test out automation, Panda Express is also bringing a form of robotics into the kitchen.

The chain recently unveiled the new Panda Auto Wok, or PAW, technology that has rolled out to 120 restaurants, so far, and will be added to another 240 before the end of 2022.

PAW is designed to take on some of the physical labor required for high-volume wok-cooked dishes, like Panda Express’ popular fried rice and chow mein.

The dishes require chefs to manually toss the ingredients over the hot wok but PAW allows the chef to add the fresh ingredients, and a robot arm can toss for exactly the right amount of time.

Panda Express unveils new Auto Wok. See the latest example of kitchen automation in action https://t.co/KVo1RZEP3k pic.twitter.com/I2syxqiIkH

— Restaurant News (@NRNonline) June 24, 2022