Beyond Honeycomb launches revolutionary AI grilling robot GRILL X

In Chicago, Illinois, on May 17, 2025, Beyond Honeycomb, a South Korea-based food technology startup, unveiled its innovative AI-powered grilling robot named GRILL X at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show. This advanced robot is designed to revolutionize commercial kitchen operations by automating precision grilling tasks, which are crucial for maintaining cooking quality and efficiency in busy restaurant environments. The introduction of GRILL X comes as many restaurants face staffing challenges, allowing them to maintain high culinary standards without solely relying on human chefs. The robot features a sophisticated molecular sensor that can analyze chemical changes during cooking, such as the Maillard reaction, fat rendering, charring levels, and collagen breakdown. This analysis occurs within 0.3 seconds, enabling the robot to dynamically adjust grill settings, patterns, and cooking times. Such capabilities ensure that GRILL X can produce consistent results across large volumes, with the ability to grill up to 80 servings per hour. Beyond Honeycomb's collaborative approach played a significant role in the development of GRILL X. The company partnered with Michelin-trained chefs, working closely with engineers to guarantee that the robot meets professional culinary standards expected in restaurant settings. The design includes features such as soft-joint actuators and flame detection sensors, which enhance its functionality for compact, high-volume kitchen environments. During the NRA Show, Beyond Honeycomb showcased GRILL X by preparing New York Strip steaks, allowing attendees to witness its performance in real-world cooking conditions. Steve Jung, CEO of Beyond Honeycomb, emphasized that the goal of developing GRILL X was to support restaurant operations struggling with persistent staffing issues, while simultaneously ensuring consistent cooking quality at scale. The robot's introduction marks a significant step toward integrating advanced robotics and AI technology to improve kitchen productivity and product quality in the foodservice industry.