The use of service robots, especially in the food service industry, has rapidly increased in recent years.
Food Delivery Robots: Companies like Serve Robotics have expanded their autonomous delivery services. In the past year, Serve Robotics has announced the addition of new cities to its network and a doubling of its user base.
Restaurant Automation: Chains like Sweetgreen have integrated automation into their operations. In May 2023, Sweetgreen launched its first robot-driven "Infinite Kitchen" location in Naperville, Illinois. Automation is utilized to assemble food, but not for preparation.
Collaborative Robots ("Cobots"): Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing collaborative robots, such as the Autocado prototype, which is designed to assist with tasks such as peeling avocados.
Market Expansion: Walmart has confirmed plans to use Richtech Robotics-powered robots to operate "ghost kitchens" in 20 restaurant locations within its stores in Arizona, Colorado, and Texas.
Technological Advancements: The development of more sophisticated robots, such as Miso Robotics' "Flippy 2.0," which is faster and more versatile than its predecessor, is expected to drive further adoption in the food service sector. Time magazine recognized "Flippy 2.0" as one of the best inventions of 2022.
In Japan, the integration of service robots in restaurants has been steadily increasing, driven by labor shortages.
Kura Sushi: This well-known conveyor belt sushi chain has integrated automation to improve efficiency and lower costs. Some locations use a robot called "KuraB the Kurabot" to deliver food, beverages, and other items directly to customers.
Pepper Robot: Developed by SoftBank Robotics, Pepper is a humanoid robot utilized in various customer service roles throughout Japan. In the restaurant industry, it greets and engages with customers, offering information and entertainment.
Haidilao Hot Pot: In collaboration with Panasonic, Haidilao launched a "smart" restaurant in 2018 that features full automation in the kitchen. Customers can place orders via tablet devices, while robotic systems manage food preparation and delivery, minimizing the need for human intervention.
Skylark Holdings, a prominent Japanese restaurant operator, has integrated service robots into its establishments to enhance efficiency and address labor shortages. In October 2021, Skylark announced plans to deploy floor service robots across approximately 1,000 of its restaurants, primarily focusing on its "Gusto" and "Syabu-Yo" brands, by April 2022.
These robots, particularly the cat-themed "BellaBots," are designed to carry multiple dishes at once, serving up to four people while assisting in clearing tables after meals. By October 2021, Skylark had already deployed these robots in 11 of its "Gusto" restaurant chains.
