The Korona-ka that has continued since last year has brought about major changes in restaurants. One of them will be the spread of the introduction of serving robots equipped with AI that automatically determines the optimum route and various sensors that recognize the position of obstacles and own aircraft. In the food service industry, which emphasized customer service and was reluctant to introduce robots, it is attracting attention as a measure against labor shortages in the future in addition to responding to non-contact needs, and the introduction is progressing mainly by major companies. This time, we compared the characteristics of three major models from various serving robots. [Published in the October 5, 2021 issue of the Japan Restaurant Newspaper (partially revised / corrected)]

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PEANUT, the driving force behind AI serving robots that operate more than 10,000 units worldwide

Until then, the mainstream of serving robots was to mark the floor and move only like a train moving on a fixed rail, but it was developed by KEENON in China, and now it is developed by KEENON in China and other countries around the world. "PEANUT" is the pioneer of AI-equipped serving robots that are operating more than 10,000 units.

The feature of this robot is that it recognizes the position of its own machine by attaching a label (marker) to the ceiling, and even when operating with multiple units, AI grasps each position and moves on the optimum route, which is easy. The point is that it is easy to get familiar with by having a good conversation, singing a song, and changing the expression on the display.

The continuous operation time is 10 hours, and the load capacity of each of the three trays is 10 kg. The width of the aisle needs to be 70 cm or more, and the selling price is about 1.5 million to 2.5 million yen. In Japan, it has been introduced in "Watami of Yakiniku", "Kourakuen" and "Hana no Hana".

On September 10, Japan System Project (JSP), an authorized dealer in Japan, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzumo Machinery. Suzushige will support labor saving and efficiency improvement of the entire store including the kitchen and audience seats in the future.

Softbank Robotics is a marker-free, high-performance robot development made in Japan, Servi,

While China is one step ahead in the fields of AI and robot development, Softbank Robotics has jointly developed "Servi" with Bear Robotics in the United States.

The biggest difference from many serving robots such as "Peanuts" is the ease of introduction that remembers the route if you move it for about 3 hours without the need for a marker on the ceiling.

The continuous operation time is 12 hours, and the tray has a load capacity of 10 kg for the upper and middle stages and 25 kg for the lower stage, but the total load capacity is up to 30 kg. We also have a basket-shaped tray that is useful for lower meals. The width of the passage needs to be 60 cm or more.

The sales method is also different, and since many other companies buy or lease, it costs a lot of money for the initial cost, but we were particular about the ease of introduction that "Service" can be started at 99,800 yen (excluding tax) per month. It has been introduced in "Yakiniku King", "Denny's" and "Yuzuan".

Currently, Iris Ohyama rents the "Iris Edition," which adds the company's unique options to meet the needs of restaurants.

A cat-shaped display can be expected to attract customers ・ BellaBot ・

Although there are many cat-serving robots that display eye and facial expressions on the display, the "BellaBot" developed by Pudu Robotics in China has become more familiar by making the display a cat shape. is.

It is already in operation in 60 countries around the world, and while stroking its head and touching its ears, it happily shows a lovely expression, while it expresses various emotions such as a moody face if it is not cooked all the time. If you call out while the robot is not moving, the main unit will start and a simple dialogue will be held, so it is a specification that is particularly pleasing in business formats for families.

As with "peanuts," a marker label is placed on the ceiling to program the flow line. The continuous operation time is 13 hours, the tray has 4 layers, and the load is 10 kg each. The width of the passage needs to be 80 cm or more.

On September 7, Panasonic Industrial Machinery Systems announced that it will sell on order. The price is an open price.

* Latest model information

Aisle width of 50 cm allows passage and complete non-contact operation is realized. ・ T8 ・

KEENON of China, which developed "peanuts", has developed a new product "T8" that can be operated even with an aisle width of 50 cm so that it can be introduced even in narrow stores such as pubs.

It is scheduled to be sold in Japan by the end of the year, and although details are undecided, some functions have been released.

First, by installing a camera sensor on each tray for the first time, we were able to confirm that we had finished cooking and automatically move on to the next task. This eliminates the need to tap the screen as with conventional models. In addition, it is equipped with a voice control function that allows the robot to move just by speaking a word, enabling complete non-contact operation. In addition, when you arrive at the target table, the patrol light shines only on the stage where the food is placed to prevent mistakes. In the unlikely event that a dish of a different level is taken, the patrol light will turn red to warn you, and the functions have been enhanced.

In Japan, it is handled by Tectre and Japan System Project (JSP), and the selling price is expected to be around 2 million yen.