You’d think that startups that build either AI or robots would be onto a winner, the constant refrain in the tech world is that the world is about to be rocked by the combination of AI and robots. However, there’s a serious misunderstanding going on.
The era where a robotic arm was considered innovative is long over. What is becoming clear is that the closer companies are to actual robotics, the only way to compete will be in genuinely transformational hardware.
Robotics as a sector won’t go anywhere without being married to powerful machine learning and visual systems.
Thus it is that startups that can do both AI and blend this with robotics, which might be either off the shelf robotic arms or tools, will position themselves far higher up the valuation stack.
A UK-Based startup Karakuri has “opened the kimono” on its plan to combine AI and robots. Karakuri uses a combination of robotics, machine learning, optics and sensors to deliver a robot that will make personalized, freshly prepared, high-quality meals.The advantage is that the robot can make something that matches exactly what the customer wants and the result can also minimize food waste.
Research shows that almost two-thirds of consumers globally now follow a diet that limits or prohibits the consumption of some foods or ingredients due to food intolerance, as well as following a specific weight loss diet. The startup comes at the right time.
Karakuri’s technologies also allow restaurants to move away from mass pre-packaged meals and significantly reduce food waste.Karakuri has now raised a £7 million seed investment, led by Ocado.For Ocado, the investment means it can expand its value proposition in grocery, especially through Ocado Zoom, its new delivery arm.
Karakuri CEO and co-founder, Barney Wragg, says, “Consumer eating habits in and out of the home are changing rapidly as demand increases for healthier options that match specific dietary requirements. This growth in menu personalization is putting huge pressure on restaurants, cafes and other food retailers.”
He added, “These providers have historically relied on identically mass-produced meals to maintain their profit margins. By using robotics and machine learning, Karakuri’s systems provide localized micro-manufacturing within an existing restaurant, retail or commercial kitchen. Our systems prepare personalized meals onsite in real time to the exact requirements of each customer.”
Karakuri emerged out of the Founders Factory incubator, but the backstory to this startup is significant. Its advisory board includes industry experts from ARM, Ocado, Imperial College, Bristol Robotics Lab and Edinburgh Centre for Robotic.
