REWE Markt’s West Regional Branch and AI robotics company Circus are set to test the integration of autonomous cooking robot into grocery retail experience.
The collaboration will see the introduction of the fully autonomous cooking robot CA-1 into several REWE supermarkets across Germany, supported by the cloud-based Circus Software Suite.
Go deeper with GlobalData
REWE Region West will receive three CA-1 units complemented by a robust software ecosystem encompassing ordering systems, kitchen management, and AI-enhanced production oversight.
Scheduled to commence later this year, the trial will be carried out over a period of eight months.
During the pilot phase, there will be cooperative operations, staff training, marketing efforts, and a comprehensive evaluation of performance metrics including customer satisfaction, technical reliability, and practicality of operations.
REWE Region West management board chair Lars Klein said: “The combination of cutting-edge robotics and our customer focus is an exciting step toward a forward-looking, sustainable shopping experience.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData“We are especially focused on acceptance, customer feedback, and real-world operational insights.”
Throughout the pilot’s duration, Circus will maintain its status as the sole provider of AI-driven food robotics in REWE outlets.
The implementation will occur at three REWE outlets and will operate under a shared management framework, with an extensive assessment of key performance indicators to monitor and evaluate the project’s success.
The results from this initial pilot phase will inform decisions regarding a potential broader collaboration between Circus and REWE Markt.
Circus CEO Nikolas Bullwinkel said: “This partnership is a milestone not only for Circus but for the entire retail sector.
“For the first time, customers will experience freshly prepared meals in supermarkets that are cooked entirely autonomously by robots. We are proud to bring this world first to life together with REWE and look forward to what lies ahead.”
REWE Group also partnered with computer vision company Trigo in 2023 to open a hybrid-autonomous store in Cologne, Germany.
