A number of years in the past, the Bay space was the go-to place if you happen to wished to eat at a robotic restaurant. Whether or not your meal of alternative is burgers (Creator), bowl meals (Mezli or Eatsa), or pizza (Zume), likelihood is if you happen to wished meals made by a high-tech, venture-funded robotic, you had been in the precise place. Quick-forward to at present, nevertheless, and all of those firms have shut down.
So, the place do you go if you happen to’re trying to get a robotic meal in what was as soon as the nascent robotic restaurant capital of America? If the founders of Shin Starr have any say within the matter, the reply is you keep the place you’re.
Based mostly in South Korea, the corporate is working two absolutely automated robotic kitchens housed of their cell Olhso Korean BBQ & Seafood meals vans within the Bay space. If you happen to’d prefer to order a meal from Olhso, you’ll be able to obtain the app and order a meal delivered to your house or workplace.
The Delivery of an Concept
The inspiration behind Shin Starr stemmed from the co-founders’ want to mix the custom of Korean barbecue with robotics. The 2 founders—Jay Shin, a long-time know-how funding portfolio supervisor,and Kish Shin, who beforehand managed the US franchises for one of many largest Korean barbecue franchises within the nation in Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong—received collectively in 2019 and began engaged on constructing an organization that may make the most of robotics to scale back labor prices and make genuine Korean delicacies.
“We wished to create one thing distinctive and sustainable,” Jay Shin informed The Spoon in a current interview. “Kish and I noticed a chance to introduce Korean barbecue to the U.S. market in a approach that leveraged robotics to reinforce effectivity and scalability.”
The Olhso Korean BBQ & Seafood Meals Truck
After 5 years of growth, Shin Starr launched its first Olhso Korean BBQ & Seafood meals truck in Could of this 12 months. These vans, which at present function in Foster Metropolis, are outfitted with robotic woks, generally known as “auto-woks,” that put together and assemble meals with minimal human intervention. Shin says the one human worker required is a driver, because the robotic kitchen handles the remaining, guaranteeing that meals are served scorching and recent, timed completely by a smartphone app.
“Our vans are quite simple,” says Shin. “There’s just one employee, which is a driver, who can also be the shop supervisor. The robotic kitchen does every thing else.”
The menu options 4 dishes, together with galbi quick ribs and kimchi shrimp with pork stomach, with costs starting from $25 to $55, catering to clients searching for a premium avenue meals expertise.
In accordance with Shin, the corporate has filed for 9 patents and has 5 issued up to now.
Shifting Past Vans
Shin Starr’s ambitions prolong effectively past meals vans. The corporate plans to open a flagship restaurant in downtown San Mateo by November 2024. This 5,000—to six,000-square-foot restaurant will incorporate the corporate’s robotic kitchen know-how, significantly for making ready aspect dishes, whereas nonetheless using human employees for different facets of the operation.
As well as, Shin Starr is engaged on a merchandising machine model of its robotic kitchen, which it plans to launch by mid-2025. This model will goal high-traffic areas comparable to airports and company campuses.
Lego-Block Modularity From The Get-Go
Shin says what units Shin Starr’s robots aside is their modularity. The corporate has developed its personal robotic refrigeration items, cooking units, and dishing out techniques, which might be assembled to create varied kitchen setups. This revolutionary system has already attracted the eye of main gamers like Samsung, which has ordered 31 robotic techniques for its cafeterias following a profitable trial.
“From the start, we took a modular strategy,” Shin explains. “It’s like Lego blocks—each bit might be built-in to type totally different kitchen setups, permitting us to adapt to numerous wants and environments.”
Samsung Takes Discover
Shin Starr’s robotic kitchen know-how has caught the eye of main companies, together with Samsung. In accordance with Shin, after a profitable trial at Samsung’s headquarters in South Korea, the place 4 robotic techniques had been initially put in, the tech big has positioned an order for 31 further items to be deployed throughout its campuses. These robotic kitchens are designed to function inside company cafeterias, making ready meals for Samsung’s workforce.
Market Potential and Future Outlook
With a mean ticket worth of an eye-popping $90 per order, Shin Starr hopes to place itself as a premium model within the meals robotics house. The corporate’s focus is on constructing its personal consumer-facing model, however it is usually contemplating franchising its Olhso vans, merchandising machines, and brick-and-mortar eating places.
If you happen to’re within the Bay space and are craving some good Korean fare, obtain the app and check out the Olhso truck. If you happen to do, tell us what you assume.
