Robots Are Taking Over the Menu—And They’re Doing It DuRCE Style
Say goodbye to repetitive take‑out and hello to a cooking robot that knows your pickle preferences better than your own mother does. Karakuri, a fresh‑from‑the‑lab robotics start‑up, just landed a £7 million seed round led by Ocado, the same company that’s obsessed with making grocery delivery feel like a sci‑fi dream.
What’s Cooking?
- Personalised plates – Whether you’re a soy‑skeptic or a vegan wizard, the robots mix the exact parts you want, no fuss, no waste.
- Fresh on‑site – Instead of pre‑packaged meals that sit on a shelf for days, everything gets made right in your kitchen, in real‑time.
- Food‑waste boot camp – By picking only what you’ll actually eat, the robots keep the planet happy and your wallet too.
Why This Matters
Nearly two‑thirds of people worldwide stick to diets that dodge certain foods or ingredients. That’s a big, juicy market for a system that can turn the same ingredients into a new dish at the click of a button.
Restaurants and cafés usually run on the “one‑size‑fits‑all” business model. Karakuri breaks that mold, offering micro‑manufacturing right inside the existing kitchen. Think of it as a tiny, super‑smart chef who never argues over menu choices.
Finance & Future
The pledge from Ocado and partners like Hoxton Ventures, firstminute capital and Taylor Brothers will push Karakuri’s tech, enlarge its IP arsenal, and grow the team for worldwide expansion.
Ocado sees a handy menu of new ways to deliver groceries faster with its Ocado Zoom service and will take the first Karakuri robot by the end of 2019.
Quotes That Make You Smile (and Think)
Barney Wragg (Karakuri CEO):
“We’ve built a machine that does what you’d expect from a personal chef—only it doesn’t sleep and it doesn’t get mad when you order extra salsa.”
Tim Steiner (Ocado CEO):
“Our goal is simple—give folks the best, fastest, and most affordable culinary experience. Karakuri is one of those game‑changing ideas that can lift that goal.”
Brent Hoberman (Karakuri Chairman):
“The future of food is robotic. We’re excited that Ocado—iconic in tech distribution—has hopped on board to make the dream real.”
What’s Next?
Karakuri sprang from the Founders Factory incubator, now set to become the flagship brand in food automation. With experts from ARM, Imperial College, and Bristol Robotics Lab on its board, the company is well‑positioned to drive huge change in how we consume.
And don’t forget—like any great trend, this robot‑powered dining is about keeping joy (and your stomach) at the forefront. The world’s eating habits are shifting, so if you haven’t yet met your new kitchen side‑kick, it’s time to roll the dice.
