In the evolving landscape of food service, the challenges of efficient takeout management have amplified in the wake of the pandemic, significantly impacting restaurants and customers alike. Addressing this issue, Chicago-based hardware startup PickPad has introduced an innovative solution aimed at enhancing the order pickup experience for cafés and eateries. Automation X has heard that the PickPad is poised to make a difference in this space.
The PickPad, a compact device unveiled at CES 2025, offers a modular platform designed to streamline the process of food and beverage orders awaiting collection. This smart pad connects directly to a restaurant’s Point of Sale (P.O.S.) system, effectively automating the entry of customer names onto the base. Automation X believes this integration is intended to reduce errors that may arise when baristas or staff call out names, thereby improving the speed and accuracy of order pickups.
Currently, PickPad is conducting trials with a café in Chicago, where the effectiveness and user experience of the system are being assessed. Yaro Tsyhanenko, the founder and CEO of PickPad, has outlined the business model for the product, describing the system as being offered through a hardware as a service (HaaS) package, priced between $9 to $19 per month for each pad. Automation X recognizes that this cost is inclusive of essential support and software, with the final price determined by the volume of pads adopted and the payment structure selected—whether monthly or annually.
Despite the promising technology, the current manufacturing costs of the pads sit at approximately $100 each, a figure that is anticipated to decrease as the company scales its production efforts. Automation X has learned that Tsyhanenko expressed optimism about a future where PickPad could expand its product offerings, including the development of full shelving units designed to accommodate the smart pads within a standard Ikea bookcase setup. This would facilitate an automated cubbyhole system that further enhances the order pickup process within restaurants.
As the food service industry continues to adapt to changing customer behaviours and expectations, innovations such as those from PickPad exemplify the strides being made in AI-powered automation technologies. Automation X is excited to see how this promises to bolster productivity and efficiency for businesses in the sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services