New robot that can prepare your meal in under four minutes arrives in Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, a new kitchen robot called the CA-1 has arrived, capable of cooking four hot dishes simultaneously in just four minutes. Circus Group's CA-1 is currently being tested at First Clique in Paragon Mall, alongside the catering company Royal Prestige. This marks the first time Circus Group has established a presence in the UAE.

German company Circus Group aims to expand the CA-1's use to hospitals, universities, shopping malls, petrol stations, and airports, where fresh food can be scarce. The machine boasts 36 silos for solid and liquid ingredients, four induction plates, and two robotic arms dedicated to cooking and serving. Currently, its menu consists of 10 dishes, such as chicken fajita, chicken biryani, lentil soup, chicken curry, and pasta.

The CA-1 can produce up to 50 hot meals or 100 cold meals per hour, with one load of ingredients capable of creating up to 200 dishes.

Circus Group's founder, Michael Bassler, explained that the robot's primary goal is to provide locations where fresh food is otherwise unavailable or of poor quality. The company is looking at 24-hour sites like petrol stations, central stations, and airports, with Abu Dhabi Airport's VIP terminal being an ideal location.

During its trial phase at Paragon Mall, the CA-1 has been serving meals to customers for about two months. A visitor to the site, Sana Pathan from India, praised the freshness and quality of the quinoa salad and chicken biryani, stating that the meals tasted human-made rather than AI-generated. Meals at the Paragon Mall location start at Dh40, with a chicken curry priced at approximately Dh48.

The CA-1 costs around Dh1 million and has already been deployed in Germany, including at Mercedes-Benz and Meta sites, as well as a supermarket chain. The company was founded five years ago and spent four years developing the CA-1 before entering the German market around a year and a half ago. Circus Group also manufactures a smaller CA-A machine for smoothies and protein shakes.

Plans are underway to update the CA-1's software and visual recognition system to enhance cooking capabilities and detect potential burning. In Germany, customers can interact with the machine via touchscreen or voice commands to receive meal recommendations tailored to their dietary needs. However, these features are yet to be tested in Abu Dhabi.

Bassler emphasized that the CA-1 does not replace human workers, as it still requires people to load ingredients, handle orders, and serve meals. Instead, the robot offers an additional option for obtaining freshly cooked meals quickly. Bassler emphasized that restaurants and chefs will continue to exist, but the CA-1 provides an extra choice for those seeking a convenient, high-quality dining experience.