Editor-Curated Robotics Industry Briefing - RobotToday

Lawson Convenience Stores Deploy I-Robo 2 Cooking Robots for Instant Meal Preparation

Lawson Convenience Stores has begun deploying the I-Robo 2 cooking robots in multiple locations around the Tokyo area, developed by TechMagic. Initial pilot stores include locations in Toshima and Kanagawa, with plans to expand to Yokohama and Koto if the response is positive. The I-Robo 2's key advantage is its ability to cook at temperatures exceeding 300°C, significantly faster than traditional microwave heating. It can prepare fried rice in just 90 seconds and fried noodles in about 150 seconds, utilizing advanced techniques learned from skilled chefs. The robot operates fully automatically, requiring minimal input from staff. Currently, the I-Robo 2 can create 13 different dishes, including fried rice, fried vegetables, and fried noodles, with prices ranging from 499 to 1099 yen. This initiative reflects a response to labor shortages in Japan's food service industry, where the demand for workers has consistently exceeded the average across all sectors. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.