[COVID-19 Transformation] Ordering with QR Codes and Robot Serving... A Meal Without Face-to-Face Interaction with Anyone

Post-Corona, an Era of Great Transformation...<4> Untact Economy
Dining Out in the Untact Era

A customer is picking up food delivered by a serving robot at the restaurant 'Merrygo Kitchen' located in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Merrygokitchen, a restaurant located in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. On the tray slowly approaching was a tray full of ordered food. However, the one carrying the tray was not a person. An autonomous serving robot had delivered the food from the kitchen to the ordered table. After moving the food to the table, the robot turned around, showing a bright smiling face on its screen as if to express gratitude for the help. While admiring this, the serving robot swiftly returned to its original position. The aroma of freshly cooked garlic olive pasta began to subtly spread around the table.

When visiting Merrygokitchen for lunch on the 28th of last month, the entire process of ordering, payment, and receiving food was conducted contactlessly (untact). Although one or two chefs were visible in the kitchen and a few staff members were assisting with serving in the hall, not once did they encounter anyone during the approximately one-hour meal. This was possible because the latest technologies for the future dining industry, such as smart ordering and autonomous robots, were gathered here. It was a stylish dining experience at an Italian fusion restaurant, yet it was a 'untact' meal without face-to-face interaction with anyone.

◆ From Ordering to Payment with Smart Order = Merrygokitchen, which opened last year, is a place where the future dining technology researched and developed by Woowa Brothers, a food tech company operating the delivery application 'Baedal Minjok', has been applied. This technology covers the entire restaurant operation, including ordering, serving, and sales management. Upon entering the restaurant, instead of the cutting-edge image of a 'future restaurant' where robots serve, a nature-friendly atmosphere greeted visitors. Bright lighting and walls designed with plants, along with brightly colored tables, conveyed a warmth similar to a greenhouse. According to the restaurant, the function is futuristic, but the aim is to provide customers with familiar comfort.

After taking a seat, the order was placed through the app. By launching Baedal Minjok and pressing the QR code button at the top, then scanning the QR code placed on the table, the menu available at this location appeared with photos. The process of checking the menu, selecting, ordering, and paying was the same as when using the delivery app at home. The group chose two types of pasta, one salad, and two drinks, all conducted untact, allowing them to comfortably order food while seated.

◆ Serving Robots Roaming the Store = Next came the serving robots. Merrygokitchen has two types of robots deployed, considering the table layout, the movement paths of customers and staff, and the distance between the kitchen and tables. First, two robots moving along a wall-mounted monorail brought the drinks. When a staff member inputs the table number into the robot, it moves along the rail and stops precisely in front of the table. After transferring the food to the table and pressing a button, these two robots return along the rail.

While quenching thirst, the main dishes were brought by an autonomous serving robot roaming inside the store. Called 'Dilly Plate' (hereafter 'Dilly'), this robot can deliver food to up to four tables at once. It has a total of four shelves. It can carry up to 50 kg and features an easy and convenient control interface, allowing anyone to operate it immediately. When a staff member places food on Dilly's tray and inputs the table number, Dilly moves along the optimal route to the customer's table. It automatically avoids obstacles thanks to two sensors installed underneath. These sensors detect obstacles below and above, respectively. The camera on the head recognizes markers installed on the ceiling to correct the serving robot's position. On that day, LG Electronics' 'CLOi ServeBot' was also being tested at Merrygokitchen. These robots assist the store by handling simple and strenuous tasks such as carrying heavy plates and moving between multiple tables.

When the robot completes its task and turns around, might its service feel cold to those seeking a warm meal? Regarding such concerns, a Merrygokitchen representative said, "The greater advantage is that it can provide uniform service."

◆ Supplying 300 Units to 200 Stores Nationwide This Year = Woowa Brothers' indoor serving robots began commercialization in November last year and are currently supplied to 23 units across 16 restaurants nationwide. The introduction is expanding nationwide, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, Sokcho in Gangwon Province, and Changwon in Gyeongnam Province. Additionally, Woowa Brothers has been supporting 50 restaurants struggling with business due to COVID-19 by allowing them to use serving robots free of charge for two months starting mid-last month. Restaurants receiving robot service have already become part of our daily lives. Restaurant owners' satisfaction is also high. Jisangyeop, manager of Cheongchosu Mulhoe & Seopguk in Sokcho, said, "By replacing the continuous task of carrying heavy dishes, staff can spend more time communicating with customers," adding, "Since it can improve the quality of customer service, we judge the positive aspects of serving robots to be significant."

Woowa Brothers plans to expand the supply of Dilly this year. Kim Yoseop, director of the Robot Business Division at Woowa Brothers, explained, "We aim to supply 300 Dilly Plates to 200 stores by the end of the year and will continue to develop robot solutions to handle a variety of menus."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.