China’s robotic baristas brewing fast, cost-effective coffee, can transform industry
The Cofe+ offers several advantages, such as it is more cost-effective to operate, requires minimal maintenance, and ensures a consistent quality of coffee.
Philip Han, the founder of Hi-Dolphin Robot Technology, believes his innovative robotic coffee kiosks can transform the way people enjoy their daily cup of Joe.
Founded in 2018, the company has developed “Cofe+” — a self-contained robotic coffee kiosk that offers a fully automated coffee-making experience.
The Cofe+ offers several advantages, such as it is more cost-effective to operate, requires minimal maintenance, and ensures a consistent quality of coffee.
This small coffee kiosk offers a variety of options. It provides customers with a choice of two coffee beans, two cup sizes, and three temperature options ( cold, hot, and iced).
Moreover, customers have full control over their coffee’s strength, temperature, sweetness, and ice level. This next-gen robotic barista holds the potential to serve over 50 flavors.
Interestingly, the entire set-up requires space of less than 2.5 square meters and weighs roughly 800kg. Also, it can operate 24 hours throughout the week.
The centerpiece of the booth is a “four-axis robotic arm” that performs the entire coffee-making process, from filling cups to handing them over to customers. The robot handles every step of the process with precision and efficiency.
As per the South China Morning Post, the kiosk’s automation allows for fast coffee preparation, with a brewing time of around 50 seconds. The kiosk has a daily capacity of around 300 drinks.
The Cofe+ is clean and hygienic. It is enclosed in glass and has built-in protection against insects and bacteria. It also has self-cleaning features and maintains milk at a constant temperature.
“The COFE+ robot coffee kiosk is fully enclosed for sterilization and dust elimination, intelligently disinfects and cleans, and operates 24 hours a day. It can continuously produce 200-300 cups with a single refill, requiring only 30 minutes of maintenance per day,” the website noted.
The company highlights cost savings as the primary advantage of using robotic coffee kiosks. Hi-Dolphin claims that operating a fully automated booth is roughly 90% less expensive than running a traditional coffee shop. Moreover, it requires less staff.
Interestingly, each kiosk can be restocked and prepared for operation in under 30 minutes, allowing a maintenance person to manage up to 10 kiosks per day.
Over 500 locations
As per the website, the kiosk has evolved through five product iterations, reflecting continuous improvements in its design and functionality.
The Cofe+ offers a convenient and contactless way to order a coffee. Simply select your desired drink, pay, and wait a few seconds for your beverage to be prepared.
Its compact design and versatility make it a perfect fit for a wide range of environments.
It has been installed in over 500 locations, including hospitals, museums, bookstores, temples, tourist hotspots, and research institutes in China.
As per SCMP, Hi-Dolphin believes their robotic coffee kiosks can help Chinese coffee shops survive the economic downturn. Many coffee shops in China have closed due to the struggling economy, but Hi-Dolphin’s technology offers a potential solution.
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The kiosk’s durability and longevity have been a key selling point in overseas markets. Reportedly, the Cofe+ kiosk is priced between US$50,000 and US$60,000 for international customers — with an expected lifespan of 10 years.
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Mrigakshi Dixit Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.
