Robotic Repasts

Food manufacturers are combining advances in laser vision with artificial-intelligence software so that automated arms can carry out more-complex tasks, such as slicing chicken cutlets precisely or inspecting toppings on machine-made pizzas. At a sausage factory, more-powerful cameras and quicker processors enable robots to detect the twisted point between two cylindrical wieners fast enough that they can be cut apart at the rate of 200 a minute. WSJ

No robot ever made a meal

that had a lot of taste appeal.

They may be swift and quite precise,

but noshers pay an awful price

when automated butchers reign

and algorithms cook our grain;

'Spaghetti a la Fortran' reeks

of pasta bland served up by geeks.

And when my steak is android grilled

I do not think I'll be too thrilled.

I'm going to the woods to hunt

my venison, to be upfront;

so when I carve a joint or two

I'll know I will not find a screw.