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Robots entering the kitchen might be a divisive topic, depending on who you ask. But entrusting Valencia's beloved paella to a robotic arm is the next bit of tech to cause a stir.
The world’s first robotic paellero was unveiled at a hospitality industry fair last month, and has so far attracted interest from hotel and restaurant chains, as well as a Japanese company, reports The Guardian.
The project was the result of a collaboration between br5 (Be a Robot 5) and the paella stove manufacturer Mimcook, who are billing it as a labour-saving device to remove the drudgery of tasks like stirring rice.
Once the programme is set and the ingredients - the sofrito, rice, stock and seafood - are loaded, the robotic arm, which is hooked up to a computerised stove, can take care of the rest.
Image: Courtesy of br5
“The robot will make sure the rice doesn’t burn, that the right amount of stock is used, and it will be there if someone’s having an off day or if your rice cook goes off to work in another restaurant,” industrial engineer Enrique Lillo and founder of Br5 told the newspaper.
And as for the results? Yes, the robot can even perfect the sought-after tasty burnt rice or socarrat at the bottom of the pan, Lillo claims.
Image: Courtesy of br5
Take a look at the paella robot in action:
But watch out, this robot won't stop at paella. Lillo says it can also be hooked up to fry potatoes, grill burgers, or even take up baking pizza and croissants.
What do chefs think of robots in the kitchen? We spoke to a handful of leading chefs to find out.
