Robotic Kitchen Uses AI to Serve 120 Meals Per Hour—A Game-Changer for Restaurants

According to the technology section of Saed News, contrary to initial assumptions, CA-1 is not a kitchen assistant—it is a complete replacement for the entire restaurant process, all contained within a glass enclosure of just 7 square meters. This robotic system manages the entire food production process without any human intervention:

• Two robotic arms retrieve ingredients from temperature-controlled smart silos.

• The ingredients are transferred by the arms to the cooking section, where meals are prepared.

• The finished product is delivered through a service window.

• The system includes an internal dishwasher and handles cleaning independently.

CA-1 is designed for high-speed, mass production. Within its compact 7-square-meter footprint, it can produce 120 meals per hour—roughly one meal every 30 seconds. This output far exceeds what a human-run kitchen of similar size can achieve. The entire process is overseen by the company’s proprietary AI, CircusOS, which makes real-time decisions throughout production.

The first CA-1 branch has launched in a REWE retail store, allowing customers to enjoy restaurant-quality meals. Main dishes start at €6.

In addition to cooking, the CA-1 platform uses AI predictive models to optimize demand, ensure quality, and minimize food waste.

Lars Klein, CEO of REWE Region West Robotics, says: “By using fully automated AI robots, we demonstrate what true innovation in today’s food retail looks like. We combine efficiency with enjoyment, turning grocery shopping into a new experience.”

Nikolas Bullwinkel, CEO and founder of Circus, adds: “Launching this system with REWE represents the first real deployment of physical AI in retail environments. With our Fresh & Smart robotics, automation becomes part of everyday life.”