The future of cooking is poised to become more automated than ever before. Picture your favourite pasta dish being served at your table in just 45 seconds, all thanks to a robot chef. This is the current reality at E Vino Spaghetti Restaurant in Tokyo, where a robot named P-Robo works to prepare pasta dishes at an astonishing speed. Developed by Pronto Corporation and TechMagic, the P-Robo utilizes high-powered induction technology to spin and sauce the pre-cooked noodles before adding the finishing touches.
However, the P-Robo is just one example of the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in home kitchens. In the UK, Moley Robotics has created the ‘world’s first fully robotic kitchen’ that not only cooks complete meals but also assists with ingredient replacement, suggests dishes based on available ingredients, and learns from your preferences.
The use of robots and AI is not confined to restaurants. Robots are now serving food at The Yellow House: Robot Restaurant in Jaipur, where robots Ruby and Diva seamlessly integrate data from each table to serve diners flawlessly. This innovative concept was developed by Harshit Surana, the founder of LTC Hospitality, with 24 robots currently in use across 11 outlets. Surana’s robots are designed to assist with food service, highlighting the impact of automation on the dining experience.
The hospitality industry is taking notice of the potential impact of AI in the kitchen. Anmol Ahluwalia, area director of operations at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), believes that AI could revolutionize hotel kitchens by enhancing operations, inventory management, menu personalization, and recipe innovation. Similarly, Kate Chesshyre, from Marriott International, emphasizes the use of AI technology to reduce food waste and improve kitchen efficiency across their managed hotels in the UK and Ireland.
Despite the benefits of AI in the kitchen, not all chefs are fully supportive of the idea of working alongside robots. Renowned chef Vikas Seth emphasizes the importance of a human touch in food preparation, stating that chefs play a crucial role in creating unique culinary experiences that technology cannot replicate.
However, home kitchens have shown a willingness to embrace AI for cooking. Companies like Nosh Robotics and Upliance are offering AI-powered cooking solutions that cater to individual tastes and preferences. Nosh’s advanced cooking robot can precisely tailor meals to taste preferences and reduce food wastage, while Upliance’s AI cooking assistant provides a user-friendly interface for selecting and preparing recipes.
A variety of other options are also available to consumers, including ‘Chef Magic’ from Wonderchef, an all-in-one kitchen robot that guides users through over 200 preloaded recipes and automates various cooking functions. On the other hand, ChefGPT offers an AI-powered app that assists users in their culinary journey, from finding recipes to planning meals based on dietary preferences.
As the online food delivery market continues to grow rapidly, cloud kitchens are also investing in AI and state-of-the-art equipment to automate food preparation processes. Companies like Nosh and Mukunda Foods provide automation solutions for cloud kitchens and restaurant brands, ensuring food taste consistency and streamlining kitchen operations.
The integration of AI in home kitchens is no longer just a futuristic concept, as it is rapidly becoming a reality that has the potential to transform the cooking experience. With a diverse range of AI-powered cooking solutions available, it is evident that the future of cooking is poised to be more automated and efficient than ever before.