Production ramp-up of robotic hamburger cooking solution ‘Alpha Grill’ to begin in early 2024
Aniai, a fast-growing robotic company and global leader in innovative kitchen solutions, has successfully secured a $12 million pre-Series A funding round. Led by InterVest, one of the largest venture capital firms in South Korea, the round includes investments from new investors, such as SV Investment and UK-based Ignite Innovation, as well as from an existing investor, Capstone Partners. This most recent investment brings Aniai’s total funding to date to $15 million.
Founded in 2020, Aniai is a groundbreaking startup spearheading the innovation, development, and commercialisation of a robotic solution for cooking hamburgers. Its flagship product, ‘Alpha Grill,’ leverages robotics for efficient hamburger cooking, boasting a double-sided grill that can cook up to eight patties simultaneously or 200 patties per hour. The company has already successfully deployed Alpha Grill to seven South Korean hamburger franchises, including DOWN TOWNER, BAS Burger, CJ Freshway, and Mom’s Touch. Furthermore, Aniai has recently announced a new partnership with Lotteria, Teisty Burger, and Fault Burger, securing 500 Alpha Grill pre-orders for delivery beginning early in Q1 of 2024.
The upcoming software release for Alpha Grill will include a feature that will employ AI to discern the colour of the hamburger patties and assess their quality through real-time vision sensors during the cooking process. For instance, if a hamburger patty does not meet the brand’s cooking specifications and requirements, the Alpha Grill promptly notifies the cooking staff, ensuring rigorous and enhanced quality control. The latest cloud-based, AI feature from Aniai will make its debut at the National Restaurant Association Show, an industry-leading foodservice trade show, in May.
