Robot Chefs Take Over South Korean Highway Rest Stop: Efficiency vs. Human Cost

A South Korean highway rest stop has replaced human chefs with robots, boosting efficiency to 150 meals per hour. However, this automation has led to job losses and anxieties among former human chefs, who report lower food quality and customer dissatisfaction. While the robots ease workload, the shift has caused some staff to quit, highlighting the challenges of automation in the service industry: balancing increased efficiency with worker rights and preventing mass unemployment. The situation underscores the need for retraining programs and government support during this technological transition.