AI Cooking System Moves to Production
Next Robot Inc. won the 2026 Kitchen Innovations Award at the National Restaurant Association Show (May 16-19 in Chicago) for its specialized AI-powered cooking robots. The company's flagship system, Al Dente, is now production-ready and available for orders.
Dual-Wok Model Targets Speed and Flexibility
During the show, Next Robot debuted Robby Duo, a new cooking robot featuring two independent wok stations within a single unit's footprint. The system is designed for cook-to-order kitchens requiring simultaneous preparation of multiple made-to-order dishes.
"Next Robot's Specialized AI-Powered Cooking Robots help chefs and operators execute complex cooking with consistency, precision, and scale," the company stated in a release.
Orders for Robby Duo are expected to open later this year, with production anticipated in the first quarter of 2027.
Current Capabilities
Next Robot's existing Robby system demonstrates versatility across cuisines, with demonstrated competency in garlic noodles, Cantonese-style fried rice, and lomo saltado. The Al Dente platform has been shown preparing spicy vodka pasta, orange almond rice pudding, and truffle butter scrambled eggs.
The company plans to expand its presence at the 2027 National Restaurant Association Show.
Why It Matters
Automation vendors continue pitching labor-reducing solutions to operators facing persistent staffing challenges. Next Robot's multi-dish capability and focus on consistency positions the platform as a potential tool for high-volume operations rather than a limited-use applicance—a distinction that could influence adoption decisions across quick-service and fast-casual segments.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors