Contactless and Automated Catering Robot Serves Food to Customers in Japan

Kourakuen Holdings, Japan will start a demonstration experiment of the non-contact type automatic catering robot K-1 (Kei Strawberry) using AI at Kourakuen Honmiya store (Fukushima Prefecture) on August 27.  This venture is Japan’s first attempt in the ramen industry. After customers order food with the tablet on the table, the store staff confirms the customer’s order details. Once the order is ready, the staff places the dish on the robot tray and feeds the destination to the robot via the robot touch panel. Robot Kei Strawberry carries the dish to the customer’s seat.

Once the customer receives the food, the robot returns to the kitchen when the customer places his/her hand on the sensor part of the head according to the voice guidance of the robot. The robot is equipped with sensors that allow it to move smoothly without hitting people or objects. With voice guidance, the robot can entertain the customers also. Due to Corona virus, this type of contactless and automated service is welcome. Also Japan, a country facing labour shortage, this new AI powered robot service is a must. The location of the Korakuen Honmiya store is 176-6 Mansei Honmiya, Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture. Business hours are from 8:00 to 21:00.