Meet Beastro, the first robotic kitchen in a university setting. This high-tech chef is whipping up delicious dishes for hungry students at Florida International University (FIU), redefining campus dining and leaving its human counterparts amazed.
In the heart of Florida International University's flagship campus, amidst the bustling Ernest R. Graham University Center, a culinary revolution is taking place. Beastro, the first robotic kitchen in a U.S. university setting, has arrived, tantalizing students with its culinary prowess and redefining campus dining.
On a recent morning, Jocelyn Hernandez and Pablo Reyes were among the hundreds of students who witnessed Beastro's remarkable abilities firsthand. Hernandez, a senior studying natural and applied sciences, ordered chicken teriyaki, while Reyes, a junior biomedical engineering student, opted for a cheese omelet. Within minutes, their meals were prepared, cooked to perfection, and ready to be served.
Robotic Kitchen Revelations: Meet Beastro, the Robot Chef Feeding Hungry Students at FIU
Beastro's culinary repertoire is vast and versatile, spanning everything from pasta bolognese and stir fries to chicken salad and omelets. This robotic chef is a culinary virtuoso, capable of handling a wide range of cuisines. Its secret lies in its advanced technology, which allows it to cook anything that traditionally requires pots.
Ofer Zinger, co-founder of Kitchen Robotics, the company behind Beastro, emphasizes the kitchen's unique capabilities. "We are not dedicated to a certain cuisine," he says. "We can create everything you would normally use pots to cook with."
Robotic Kitchen Revelations: Meet Beastro, the Robot Chef Feeding Hungry Students at FIU
To place an order, students simply approach one of two kiosks located in front of the glass enclosure where they can watch Beastro work its magic. After selecting their desired dishes, they receive an order number and a text notification when their food is ready.
The ordering process is seamless and efficient. Students can track the status of their orders on a TV monitor or simply observe Beastro's mesmerizing movements. Once the meals are cooked, a robotic arm removes the pots from the induction plates and sends them down a slide to a waiting staff member. The food is then transferred to a plate and handed to the hungry students.
Robotic Kitchen Revelations: Meet Beastro, the Robot Chef Feeding Hungry Students at FIU
Beastro's talents extend beyond cooking. This robotic marvel is also self-cleaning, promptly washing its pans after each dish is plated. It takes its orders from FIU's Senior Director of Residential Dining, Denisse Castillo, who determines the meals Beastro will prepare. Castillo and her team meticulously program the recipes into Beastro's system.
"Technically, we create the food for Beastro," explains Castillo. "Whatever you choose to define in the feeders basically defines the limitations of your kitchen space that day." Initially, there was a learning curve as the team adjusted to the robotic chef's unique requirements, ensuring the correct ingredients were placed in the designated feeders.
Robotic Kitchen Revelations: Meet Beastro, the Robot Chef Feeding Hungry Students at FIU
Castillo admits that the transition to Beastro was initially challenging, but her enthusiasm grew as she became familiar with its capabilities. "It was something exciting for me, trying something new that nobody [else has]," she says.
While some may express concerns that Beastro could potentially replace human chefs, Castillo and Zinger see the robotic kitchen as a complement to the workforce. At FIU, Beastro's presence has actually led to increased labor needs. Zinger highlights the benefits of automation in the kitchen industry. "Automation creates consistency," he says. "Machines make less mistakes."
Robotic Kitchen Revelations: Meet Beastro, the Robot Chef Feeding Hungry Students at FIU
Beastro's arrival at FIU has not only transformed campus dining but has also elevated the university's profile. Niche, a website that ranks colleges on various factors, has recently placed FIU at No. 11 nationally for best college food in America, a three-spot improvement from its previous ranking.
Zinger is optimistic about the future of robotic kitchens in university settings and beyond. "We are looking to scale and we are ready to scale," he says. "Each kitchen space is different, but we are flexible and adaptable." Beastro's presence at FIU is just the beginning of a culinary revolution that promises to redefine the way we prepare and enjoy our food.
Robotic Kitchen Revelations: Meet Beastro, the Robot Chef Feeding Hungry Students at FIU
