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Chef Robotics raises $43 million in Series A funding

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Chef Robotics has raised $43.1 million in new Series A funding, which includes $20.6 million in equity and $22.5 million in equipment financing debt. The latter will be used to cover the financing of Chef’s robotic systems for Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) so Chef’s customers don’t have to front capex for their robots.

The equity round was led by Avataar Ventures and included investments from Construct Capital, Bloomberg Beta, Promus Ventures, MFV Partners, Interwoven Ventures, HCVC, MaC Venture Capital, Red and Blue Ventures, Tau Partners, Alumni Ventures, Siddhi Capital, and BOLD Capital Partners.

The new funding brings Chef’s total capital raised to $65.6 million which consists of $38.8 million in equity and $26.75 million in equipment financing, all with Silicon Valley Bank, a Division of First Citizens Bank. [Read more…] about Chef Robotics raises $43 million in Series A funding

Walmart installs drinks-making robot from Richtech Robotics

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Richtech Robotics, a Nevada-based provider of AI-driven service robots, has installed its advanced robotic beverage system, ADAM, at a One Kitchen in a Rockford, Illinois Walmart.

This milestone marks the second installation as part of a planned rollout across 240 One Kitchen locations in the US.

One Kitchen restaurants feature multiple national and local brands using a single kitchen. The Rockford Walmart will also have a Richtech Robotics’ Matradee L and DUST-E S installed. [Read more…] about Walmart installs drinks-making robot from Richtech Robotics

Robotic kitchen startup Aniai raises $12 million in ‘pre-funding’

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Aniai, a fast-growing robotic company in “robotic” kitchen solutions, has secured a $12 million pre-Series A funding round.

Led by InterVest, one of the largest venture capital firms in South Korea, the round includes investments from new investors, such as SV Investment and UK-based Ignite Innovation, as well as from an existing investor, Capstone Partners.

This most recent investment brings Aniai’s total funding to date to $15 million. [Read more…] about Robotic kitchen startup Aniai raises $12 million in ‘pre-funding’

Made to Order: AI Data Processing Via Edge Computing Brings Robotics to the Fast-food Kitchen

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Exclusive from Premio

Back-of-house operations advance with machine learning, computer vision, and real-time data analytics 

The pandemic was especially difficult on the restaurant industry’s bottom line, and the sector is still in the early stages of recovery. As the world begins to turn the page on Covid, a new normal has emerged, with many kitchen staff having moved on to jobs outside food service.

New, modern technology, driven by automated systems, is ready to pick up the slack with incredible speed and productivity. Automated robotic arms powered by smart AI algorithms are revolutionizing modern restaurant operations in ways that would not have been possible just a few years ago.

Specialized software algorithms that enable the automation of repetitive kitchen tasks are proving more valuable for efficiency and productivity. [Read more…] about Made to Order: AI Data Processing Via Edge Computing Brings Robotics to the Fast-food Kitchen

ABB provides ‘complete range of robots’ for one of Europe’s largest kitchen makers

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ABB Robotics has been selected by Nobia to supply robotic automation solutions for their new factory in Jönköping, Sweden.

Nobia is one of Europe’s largest producers of kitchen furniture and related equipment.

By securing the contract, ABB Robotics says it is furthering its expansion into new industry segments, helping to make production “more efficient and sustainable”. [Read more…] about ABB provides ‘complete range of robots’ for one of Europe’s largest kitchen makers

Chipotle pilots robots at key restaurants

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, one of the largest restaurant chains in the US, is piloting advanced technologies such as robotics to enhance its employee and guest experience by streamlining operations and reducing friction.

The company recently began piloting two new technologies in its restaurants to deliver precise forecasting, optimal quality, and increased convenience for digital guests.

In select Southern California restaurants, Chipotle is piloting a cook to needs kitchen management system that provides demand-based cooking and ingredient preparation forecasts to optimize throughput and freshness while minimizing food waste. [Read more…] about Chipotle pilots robots at key restaurants

Wings and Rings partners with Miso Robotics to begin Flippy 2 pilot

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Miso Robotics, the company transforming the restaurant industry with robotics and intelligent automation, has started a partnership with Wings and Rings, a club-level sports restaurant chain serving signature wings and other chef-inspired menu items, to begin a piloted test of Flippy 2 in its Crestview Hills, Kentucky location, with possible plans for further integration in the months ahead.

Built on the Miso Platform, Flippy 2 leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and data analytics to maximize efficiency in the commercial kitchen.

As the first wing concept to integrate Flippy 2 in a real restaurant environment versus a test kitchen, Wings and Rings sees robotics as the next evolution in alleviating the long-term challenges that the ongoing labor shortage has brought to the entire restaurant industry. [Read more…] about Wings and Rings partners with Miso Robotics to begin Flippy 2 pilot

Remy Robotics exits stealth mode with launch of third autonomous robotic kitchen

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Remy Robotics, a food technology startup leading the disruption of delivery-only restaurants through the use of adaptive robotics and culinary engineering, today exited stealth mode with the opening of a third autonomous robotic kitchen.

With over 60,000 robot-cooked dishes sold and top customer ratings across all major delivery apps, Remy Robotics is now ready to expand its delivery-only restaurant business with more brands and more locations.

The company’s successful track record means it is now ready to offer its autonomous robotic kitchen platform to other food operators looking to scale their business, improve profitability and solve the labour shortage challenge. [Read more…] about Remy Robotics exits stealth mode with launch of third autonomous robotic kitchen

Robotic kitchen Nommi raises $20 million and partners with food tech platform C3

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Nommi, a new startup automating customizable bowl-based meals, has launched to raise up to $20 million in seed capital and is now open for reservations.

As part of this investment, visionary Sam Nazarian has led funding as part of a 50/50 deal to establish robotic Nommi kitchens in partnership with Nazarian’s global food tech platform C3 (Creating Culinary Communities).

Nommi, which is backed by Wavemaker Labs, a robotic incubator, is building a standalone robotic kitchen that is able to produce and dispense any grain-, noodle- or lettuce-based dish through a fully integrated cooking system. [Read more…] about Robotic kitchen Nommi raises $20 million and partners with food tech platform C3

Dexai Robotics partners with Mediterranean restaurant Bonapita

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Dexai Robotics, a provider of intelligent robotics solutions for commercial kitchens, has installed its automated food preparation robot, Alfred, at Boston Mediterranean restaurant, Bonapita.

The robot will be preparing salads and bowls at Bonapita’s West Roxbury location, at 75 Spring Street, West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

The announcement comes on the heels of a high-profile collaboration between Dexai and the Department of Defense, which will see 10 Alfred robots installed in multiple US military bases across the country. [Read more…] about Dexai Robotics partners with Mediterranean restaurant Bonapita