CaliBurger Uses Biometric Tech to Guard Against COVID-19

Cali Group has announced it is deploying biometric technology tools to its CaliBurger restaurants to help keep staff and customers safe from the spread of COVID-19.

Cali Group — a holding company that maintains ownership positions in a number of tech companies — aims to implement the new tech in a CaliBurger store in Pasadena, California, in the coming weeks.

“Cali Group is focusing its resources on new tools for the restaurant and retail industries to survive the current crisis,” said John Miller, Chairman of Cali Group. “Our portfolio of companies offer various solutions for food production, delivery, take out, and drive thru.” 

Among the tools it plans to deploy is biometric entry screening, where anyone wishing to enter the restaurant must submit to having their face scanned. All staff, delivery drivers, and customers must be scanned in order to measure their body temperature in an effort to detect if they have a fever. If their temperature is above a certain range, they will not be permitted into the restaurant.

The face scanning system can also be used by staff when the store is not open to customers as a means of unlocking doors, allowing employees to forego having to use a key card.

In addition to the face scanners, Cali Group also plans to implement a contactless ordering and payment system, in lieu of cash or credit/debit cards to avoid the possible transfer of pathogens.

Customers who wish to pay in the CaliBurger location will be able to register for face-payment service PopPay at popid.com. Terminals will be installed onsite that will allow customers to use PopPay without having to make contact with any surfaces.

Finally, Cali Group will continue to rely on AI-driven robots made by Miso Robotics in CaliBurger’s kitchens. With the aim of reducing human contact with the food being prepared, and with the success of Flippy, the burger flipping robo-cook, Cali Group is looking to continue with the automating of its CaliBurger kitchens.

“Miso’s platform is a path to substantially reduce pathogen contamination in food,” said Buck Jordan, CEO of Miso Robotics. “By automating tasks such as frying and grilling, Flippy can give operators and consumers confidence that their food is being prepared in a more sterile environment,” he added.

Cali Group has indicated that it intends to implement these solutions — which were driven by recommendations made by health and government officials in charge of COVID-19 containment for LA county — in all of its restaurants.

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March 26, 2020 – by Tony Bitzionis