Artly unveils upgraded Barista Bot at National Restaurant Association show
- Artly introduced enhancements to its fully automated Barista Bot at the 2025 National Restaurant Association show.
- The upgraded model includes a compact size, improved storage, customizable designs, and enhanced capabilities for crafting beverages.
- With these advancements, Artly aims to expand the Barista Bot's presence in cafes and elevate the coffee service experience.
In the United States, on May 17, 2025, Artly revealed enhancements to its robotic barista, the Barista Bot, at the National Restaurant Association show held in Chicago. This year's event is characterized by a strong emphasis on automation and robotics within the restaurant industry. The renewed Barista Bot now features a compact 4ft x 4ft design, a larger refrigerator for ample storage, customizable countertop options, and enhanced learning capabilities to broaden its beverage offerings. These modifications are aimed at increasing the robot's adaptability to various café aesthetics and maximizing service capabilities. The Barista Bot, which operates on Artly's Vision-Language-Action AI model, was trained using motion capture data from expert baristas, enabling it to produce 28 different hot and iced beverages, including intricate latte art. The ability to continuously improve its learning means that more menu options can be added in the future, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the food and beverage landscape. Over its five years in operation, the Barista Bot has successfully served nearly 1 million cups of coffee and has secured over $10 million in funding. Currently, it is located across 15 cafés in the United States, and substantial expansion plans are in place for this year. The upgrades introduced at the 2025 NRA showcase aim to facilitate this growth by making the robot an even more versatile addition to coffee shops and event venues. Yushan Chen, Chief Operating Officer of Artly, expressed enthusiasm about the improvements, stating that the Bot now serves more drinks efficiently while fitting seamlessly into café environments. The event at McCormick Place, taking place from May 17-20, serves as an opportunity for attendees to experience the Barista Bot in action and witness the fusion of culinary artistry and technology firsthand. Founded in 2020, Artly has made significant strides in the coffee industry, having generated over $5 million in revenue since its inception.