Imagine a robot that cooks your meals. This cutting-edge modular kitchen can prepare fully-cooked dishes at the click of a button all without human involvement. Featuring a robotic arm, two instant pots, and a fully-stocked pantry, this innovation takes the idea of smart kitchens to a whole new level.
The revolutionary kitchen is showcased at the Big 5 Global Conference, an event for the construction industry, which started at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Tuesday.
How Does It Work?
“The robotic arm can wash rice, chop vegetables, sauté, and cook one-pot meals,” said Captain Ehsan Khalid, Founder and Director of Chilly Robotics. “It also tracks pantry essentials and, with permission, orders groceries online.”
Developed by Chilly Robotics Kitchen in collaboration with US-based Autochef Robotics Inc, this kitchen is designed to deliver convenience at its best.
During a live demonstration at the conference, the Autochef showcased its ability to cook rice pilaf. The robotic arm sautéed onions, chopped fresh vegetables, rinsed rice, added stock, and finished cooking the dish—all on its own.
Key Features of the Robotic Kitchen
- App-Controlled: The kitchen can be programmed to cook meals at a specific time, all controlled remotely through an app.
- Compact Design: It fits into a space of just 5ft by 7ft.
- Customizable Layout: It includes a robotic arm, built-in exhaust system, two instant pots, and containers for ingredients.
- Ingredient Organization: Six bowls for fresh items like vegetables and proteins, plus containers for oils, sauces, spices, and dry ingredients.
The kitchen is priced at $40,000 (around Dh147,000) and customizable to fit existing spaces.
Smart Cooking for Busy Lives
Captain Khalid explained how the kitchen can be tailored for daily use. “We can design the fresh section with a built-in chiller,” he said. “Users can load it in the morning with fresh ingredients and program it to have dinner ready when they return home.”
The pantry includes a top section for dry goods and a bottom layer for spices. Users must label jars correctly—for example, assigning salt to ‘Spice 1’—as the robotic arm cannot yet identify ingredients on its own, a feature the team is working to improve.
The Inspiration Behind the Kitchen
As a pilot, Captain Khalid’s interest in cooking sparked during the Covid pandemic. He realized that meal prep was repetitive and time-consuming. “I thought, if we can automate everything else, why not cooking?” he shared.
It took him five years of trials to perfect the design. His first test involved cooking pasta for his family. “My wife made chicken pasta just in case the Autochef’s version didn’t turn out well. But the robotic pasta was a hit, and hers had leftovers,” he recalled with pride.
Future Plans
Currently in the testing phase, the robotic kitchen has already received multiple orders. Captain Khalid is also in talks with UAE property developers to integrate the kitchen into premium homes.
“This is the future of cooking,” he said. “In a tech-savvy place like Dubai, I’m confident it will generate significant interest.”
