Kernel & Starship Raise Fresh Funding

Pudu launches KettyBot Pro, Dollar General + Shelf Engine, new jobs

Looks like February is shaping up to be a strong month for restaurant robotics and food automation: we’ve got companies scoring big investments, new products launching and plenty of interesting job openings.

Kernel Scores Sports Investors As Opening Looms

Kernel, the robotic restaurant created by Chipotle founder Steve Ells, is a week away from its February 12th opening. It looks like some big names can’t wait that long, as the company has secured investments from a few notable sports stars, including New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and Chicago Bears quarterback (and vegetarian) Justin Fields. While the company’s Flatiron Location opens next Monday, it hopes to open 15 more by the end of 2025.

P.S. — we’ve got an extra invite to their soft opening this week. Eager NYC-based readers should shoot an email to editor@ottomate.news and we’ll see if we can get you in ahead of the hungry masses. 😉

Starship Technologies Raises $90M

Robotic delivery pioneer Starship Technologies just closed on $90M in fresh funding, co-led by Plural and Iconical. This brings the company’s total funding to $230M since its 2014 founding. The company notes the new investment round will enable Starship to use machine learning to further develop its AI, tech and wireless charging infrastructure, as it expands to more international market - particularly with its Delivery as a Service (DaaS) product, which sees Starship robots integrate into the delivery infrastructure of its partners. Customers and partners include Bolt, Co-Op, Aramark, Sodexo, Chartwells and Grubhub.

Pudu Robotics Launches KettyBot Pro

Pudu Robotics has unveiled KettyBot Pro, an advanced version of its delivery and reception robot, tailored for restaurants and retail businesses grappling with labor shortages. The new robot aims to provide seamless, customized customer experiences. Deployed by global brands like KFC and Walmart since 2021, KettyBot Pro represents a significant leap forward with upgrades such as an RGBD depth camera for improved object detection, visual sensor-based tray inspection for autonomous task completion, and extensive customization options including personalized expressions and advertising displays.

Dollar General Adds Shelf Engine-Powered AI Ordering

Discount retailer Dollar General is working with Shelf Engine, as the Tennessee-based chain pushes deeper into groceries. Shelf Engine uses AI and predictive models to proactively automate the ordering of produce and deli items, cutting down on food waste and stock shortages. An earlier pilot deployed the technology at 400 stores, this expansion will bring the tech to 3,000 locations nationwide.

Robotic Startups Seek Talent

With all that new funding, you’d better believe robotics and automation companies are looking to hire. Our friends at TechCrunch have rounded up over 30 startups with interesting job openings, but here are some with particularly intersting food / restaurant / retail focuses: Amazon Robotics, Bonsai Robotics, Burro, Chef Robotics, Farm-ng, Figure, Four Growers, Guardian Agriculture, and WiBotic.

In Other News

7-Eleven opens automat in Singapore. Walmart hires James Reed, former COO of Kodiak Robotics. Starship launches at University of South Carolina, with Grubhub. Tesla makes fast progress at first restaurant.