[…] PYMNTS’ exclusive report titled “Connected Dining: The Robot Will Take Your Order Now” is based on a survey of nearly 2,000 U.S. consumers conducted recently. The report delves into consumer sentiments towards various restaurant technologies and the factors driving those opinions. The study found that two-thirds of consumers are not interested in robotics-powered food preparation, with most of them concerned about the potential impact of automation on food quality and personalization. A notable 83% of respondents believed that food prepared by robots would be lower quality and less personalized compared to human-prepared meals. This concern aligns with a previous study that revealed around 4 in 10 consumers perceive a decline in personalized service at restaurants. Despite these concerns, automation is gaining traction in the industry, particularly in kitchen operations. Some consumers are embracing these innovations, especially younger demographics, who are more open to testing new tech, as evidenced by the positive response to autonomous robotic food service kiosks in certain restaurant chains. …