Aniai, a startup specializing in burger-grilling robots, announced a $12 million funding round, bringing its total funding to $15 million. The investment will fuel the launch of its first manufacturing facility, Factory One, in South Korea, and the deployment of its cloud-based AI software platform, Alpha Cloud.
Transforming the Restaurant Industry
Robot adoption in restaurants is gaining traction, offering solutions to labor shortages and rising wage concerns. According to research, robotics can save restaurants significant labor costs, with the potential to replace up to 80% of restaurant positions.
Introducing Alpha Grill
Aniai’s flagship product, Alpha Grill, is a double-sided robot capable of cooking 200 patties per hour. With real-time vision sensors and cloud-based AI software, Alpha Grill can monitor patty color, temperature, shape, and quality. It notifies staff if patties do not meet cooking specifications, ensuring consistent quality control.
Expansion Plans
Factory One, scheduled to launch this year, aims to meet the increasing demand for Alpha Grill. With over 500 pre-orders, the manufacturing facility will produce over 1,000 robots annually. Aniai plans to accelerate its expansion in the U.S. and South Korea, leveraging its latest funding round.
Future Innovations
Aniai is developing its second product, Alpha Kitchen, set to automate the entire burger-making process. From cooking patties to dispensing ingredients, Alpha Kitchen promises further efficiency gains for restaurants.
Industry Landscape
Aniai joins a growing kitchen automation industry, alongside companies like Miso Robotics, Botinkit, and Chef Robotics. These companies are pioneering innovative solutions to streamline restaurant operations and enhance efficiency.
Funding and Investors
The latest funding round was led by InterVest, with participation from new investors SV Investment and Ignite Innovation, along with previous backer Capstone Partners. Founded in 2020, Aniai had 30 employees as of December 2023.
Aniai’s innovative approach to restaurant automation is poised to revolutionize the food service industry, offering cost-effective solutions and enhancing operational efficiency.
