Robot cook can prepare up to 120 dishes per hour • Tecnoblog

Summary

The CA-1 Series 4 robot prepares up to 120 dishes per hour, using cut and pre-cooked ingredients.
The machine operates in three Rewe supermarkets in Germany, in 7 m² kitchens, with 36 refrigerated silos and robotic arms.
Circus sells each CA-1 unit for 250 thousand euros, and the operation reduces labor costs by up to 95%, requiring only one operator.

Asking a robot to make your lunch is already a reality in Germany: the technology company Circus has placed CA-1 Series 4 machines, capable of preparing meals completely autonomously, in three units of the Rewe supermarket chain.

The novelty is still in the testing phase, and the pilot project should last six months. Even so, customers can now eat for 6 euros (around R$36.65, in direct conversion). You can order pasta, lentils or sweet pancakes, for example.

How does the robot cook work?

The CA-1 Series 4 operates in a compact glass-sided kitchen that occupies approximately 7 square meters. The customer can place their order on a touch-sensitive panel, similar to those found in fast-food restaurants, or even using voice commands.

The CA-1 Series 4 has six internal cameras, which take images to computer vision software, responsible for supervising the process.

The machine has 36 refrigerated silos for ingredients, which are delivered to stores already cut and pre-cooked. Two robotic arms place food in rotating pans, which work via induction. The finished meal is placed on one of eight heated trays, maintaining the temperature until the consumer picks up their order. And to deal with the mess, there’s even a dishwasher.

Preparation takes a few minutes. According to Circus, the CA-1 Series 4 is capable of making up to 120 dishes per hour, and the refrigerated silos can store enough ingredients for 500 meals. And although only eight dish options are available in this first phase, the system allows for an unlimited number of combinations and recipes.