Tracking all of the different tasks companies are looking to automate is one of the most interesting things about following food robotics. In recent years, Bear has become one of the most prominent firms trying to bring robots out in front of the counter.
Bear has seen some success in deployment, including a bid to get its system in more restaurants in Japan. SoftBank, as well as some ongoing labor shortages in the country, pushed that push. The Pandemic only served to accelerate the needs of Japan's aging population, as the country has long eyed robots as a way to keep business moving. Bear has partnerships with Chili's, Marriott, Denny's, and Pepsi in the US.
The business model has gained a lot of confidence in SoftBank, which is leading its 2020 Series A. Bear's full funding has increased by around $117 million to date.
Bear is cautious about the subject of automation. The company has been positioning itself as a way for restaurants to add staff rather than replace them. The fact that the machines are more akin to mobile tables, rather than robot waiters, means that they are more likely to move orders from Point A to Point B.
John Ha said in a release that he learned firsthand how hard things could get when he started his own restaurant. That is the reason we created Servi. It is a solution meant to improve the experience of customers, employees, and operators. While others are trying to fully automate work, we are trying to elevate the future of work for stakeholders in this industry that keep it going each day.
Bear says its robot has delivered 28 million meals.
5 fundraising imperatives for robotics startups
All Rights Reserved © 2024
