– how robotics and automation are changing the food service industry.
Whether at the Winter Olympics in Beijing, a bar in Munich or a fast-food outlet, robots are increasingly lending a hand in the food service industry. What still often sounds like science fiction is already in use today.
From producing to serving, countless manufacturers already offer robotic solutions for the food service industry. The reasons for their use range from staff shortages through hygiene, all the way to relieving employees from arduous, monotonous tasks. We present three of the latest examples:
Germany's first robot bar
For Germany's largest cocktail bar chain, Sausalitos, staff shortages in the food service industry were the reason behind its innovative new approach. In June 2022, the company opened Germany's first ever robot bar in Sonnenstrasse 12, Munich. The process test run: completely digital from order to payment.
Together with its partner and robot manufacturer Inores Robotics AG, Sausalitos developed the idea of automating some bar operations with the help of robot arms. "This means we reduce our employees' workload and free up capacities that can be used elsewhere. As a result, we see the bar robot as a really useful tool, particularly when it comes to difficult, arduous work," states Christoph Heidt, managing director of Sausalitos.
In the future, the robots will help out at the Mojito station and will be able to prepare both a normal and alcohol-free version of the most popular Sausalitos cocktail. "Guests can scan a QR code with their mobile phones to order and pay contactlessly, and the arms will then present them with their drink," explains Heidt. However, there are still some tasks that will be beyond even the best robot bars for the foreseeable future – the human interaction between bartender and guest, from relaxed small talk to late-night deep-and-meaningfuls.
© Fotos: SAUSALITOS Holding
Fast food from an AI-assisted, fully automated robotic kitchen
In November 2021, Nala Robotics (link to: https://nalarobotics.com/) opened a restaurant with a fully automated kitchen in Naperville, USA called One Mean Chicken. From chicken wings, fried fillets and sandwiches to French fries and coleslaw, the entire menu is prepared by robots. All dishes can be ordered to eat in or for delivery via Grubhub and Uber Eats. In a podcast, co-founder Ajay Sunkara says, "Many of our customers were surprised to learn that their food had been prepared by robots."
One of the aims when developing the AI-assisted robot chef was to achieve consistent results – in other words, the same flavour profile every time. With the help of image processing and sensors, more than 1,200 parameters are checked every microsecond. "The more they cook, the more they learn and the better they master the recipes. Dishes can also be updated promptly,' states Sunkara to explain the benefits of AI-assisted robot chefs. Within just a few minutes, new recipes can be uploaded for the robots to prepare immediately – whether simple fast food, Asian wok dishes or Mediterranean cuisine.
In addition to its own restaurants, Nala Robotics offers the option of opening a cloud kitchen. Recipes are uploaded and order options created (for instance, a website or delivery platforms). When an order is placed, the dishes are freshly prepared in the Nala robotic kitchen and then delivered to the customer by the delivery service chosen. "This way, new food service concepts and brands can be launched within 24 hours," states the company
© Fotos: NALA Robotics
Robot catering at the Olympic Games
At the Olympic Games in Beijing in February 2022, the media centre's almost fully automated robotic canteen was the secret main attraction for many reporters. On the one hand, the country wanted to present itself as a technology leader on the international stage. On the other hand, the comprehensive robotic concept also complied with the strict hygiene requirements which the organisers were obliged to meet.
From the automated preparation of dishes all the way to serving via a track system with drones and a robot bartender, the concept represented a whole new level of food service robotics. The automated preparation process starts as soon as the QR code for the selected dish is scanned – whether hamburger and fries or a Chinese clay pot dish. From frying the burger patty and stacking the burger ingredients to wrapping the finished burger in paper, every step is carried out by the robot. The meals are delivered to diners' tables by drones on a track system. The only manual task left for diners in Beijing is to clear the table after their meal.
© Fotos: REUTERS
A pretty impressive concept at first glance. However, after a few days, most media representatives agreed that the initial fascination quickly gave way to a certain feeling of weariness with the artificial environment. "I miss being served my food by real people. And also being able to moan to them if something isn't quite right. Or being met by a friendly face, "writes one journalist about the experience. It seems that personal contact cannot be replaced so easily after all – even if it is just to complain.
Video "This Bar in Germany Has a Robot Bartender"
Video „Food served up robotically at Beijing Olympics“
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