Beijing Issues First Catering Business License to Multitask Cooking Robot

Beijing  recently issued the first catering business license to a type of robot,  pioneering regulation of embodied intelligence application in the  country's catering industry amid rapid development in the sector.

Unlike  single-task robots, such as pancake-making or noodle-cooking machines,  the embodied intelligence robots developed by EncoSmart Technology, a  Beijing-based company, can cook different types of cuisine.

The  robots, which look like robotic arms, can also keep learning to create  new menus and avoid safety risks based on the working environment.

"Artificial  intelligence is an inevitable trend in the food and beverage industry,"  said Xia Pingping, head of the catering department of the Haidian  District Market Regulation Bureau, which granted EncoSmart the city's  first food business license for its embodied intelligence robots.

"Before  issuing the license, we rigorously examined the product to ensure it  complies with national food safety regulations. The robot design  prioritizes safety, from hardware materials to software algorithms," she  said.

Tian Yan, head of smart  project development at EncoSmart, said: "We've already deployed our  first-generation robot offering fried food in certain office buildings  in Haidian. By the end of the year, we plan to expand the services to  chain restaurants, rolling out robots capable of making ice cream,  drinks and salads."

A report issued  by the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau in April highlighted challenges  in the local restaurant industry, including high rents, labor costs and  ingredient prices, coupled with low profits.

Tian  said she believes that embodied intelligence technology can help reduce  costs, streamline food processing, and meet consumer demand for precise  and consistent flavors.

"Our goal is  to make consumer-grade robots more affordable and accessible," she  said. "Safety is the core. Our robots can learn through algorithms to  improve heating efficiency in order to make the food more tasty. The  sensors on robots can monitor the temperatures of oil in order to avoid  any kitchen fire risks."

Chen Zhen,  CEO of EncoSmart, said the company would tap the overseas market in the  following two years, starting with two major robot products aimed at  Western catering markets.

"The  overseas market has great opportunities, but it's also pretty  challenging," he said. "It's essential for us to obtain the product  certifications and win the trust of the clients there."

To  address new challenges facing food safety, the State Administration for  Market Regulation revised the measures for the administration of food  trade licensing, which now include provisions for automated food service  devices. The measures took effect on Dec 1.

Haidian  district is leading AI-driven food safety regulation, setting standards  for embodied AI in food processing, including basic safety, system  design, food hygiene and operational norms, filling a regulatory gap in  the AI-powered catering industry.

AI  food safety oversight differs from traditional restaurant regulation,  said Duan Xing, head of the market regulation office in Haidian's  Huayuanlu subdistrict.

"Our approach  focuses on three areas, including process and equipment control to  guarantee smooth operation, as well as data control to maintain  traceability throughout," Duan said.

A  report released at the 2024 Beijing Catering Brand Conference noted  that 4,842 new restaurants were registered in the city in the first half  of the year, with an average of 26.5 new restaurants opening daily.  While overall restaurant consumption remains stable, the industry is  undergoing rapid change, requiring businesses to enhance their  resilience and quality.

Wang Xinwei,  deputy secretary-general of the Beijing Branch of the World Federation  of Chinese Catering Industry, said, "The first embodied AI robot food  business license signifies that this cutting-edge technology is quickly  entering the food and beverage market, allowing for large-scale  commercialization and reducing the complexity of recipe replication and  chef hiring."

"While the spread of  embodied AI robots may increase short-term employment pressure, in the  long run, they will drive the restaurant industry toward greater  intelligence, creating new jobs. The key is balancing technological  progress with social responsibility to ensure harmonious economic and  social development," Wang said.

(Source: China Daily)