Your next boba tea or coffee could be prepared and served by a robot. That’s what customers at One Kitchen inside a Rockford, Ill., Walmart store are now experiencing—their barista being ADAM, a Richtech Robotics Inc., Las Vegas, robot installed in August.
It was the second installation in a projected rollout to 240 One Kitchen locations in the United States. One Kitchen operations feature popular national and local brands, dispensing food from a single galley. The debut installation of ADAM was in July inside a Walmart in Dawsonville, Ga.
The restaurants will be directly managed by Richtech Robotics’ subsidiary and new commercial management venture, AlphaMax Management LLC. AlphaMax Management will handle the workflow of the One Kitchens within Walmart, focusing on integrating robots and artificial intelligence (A.I.) applications with traditional in-house processes.
ADAM is a two-armed, interactive robot leveraging proprietary automation and A.I. to prepare and serve 100–200 cups of tea and coffee drinks daily. It’s designed to optimize operations; automate production, cleaning or delivery; and work alongside other team members. The Rockford Walmart also uses a Richtech Robotics Matradee L automated server to deliver food from the kitchen to the dining room and DUST-E S, an automated floor cleaning apparatus.
This is the first humanoid drink robot in the state of Illinois, according to Richtech, which develops, manufacturers and deploys turnkey automated robotic solutions for the hospitality and healthcare industries. Richtech will be responsible for system programing, maintenance and service of ADAM, while One Kitchen will manage team members, daily logistical operations and leasing.
Robotics work alongside humans
“ADAM’s introduction to the beverage industry addresses several key challenges, including the need for consistency, efficiency and a memorable customer experience,” said Matt Casella, president of Richtech Robotics in a July 2024 press release. “By automating drink preparation, ADAM is intended to allow human staff to focus on creating meaningful connections with guests, thereby elevating the overall customer experience.”
According to Ghost Kitchens International, their outlets feature “multiple national brands made to order, a single operator, innovative front- and back-of-house technology and walk-in and delivery customers.” These types of businesses, also known as virtual restaurants, arose primarily from the pandemic and popularity of online ordering to bring familiar foods to consumers.
Customers start their experience at an integrated touchscreen point-of-sale system for ordering and payment. ADAM uses cloud-based A.I. and advanced sensors to detect approaching customers and begin its welcoming interaction and real-time intelligent conversations. ADAM is responsive and human-like, being able to initiate interaction and respond to people waving, for example.
With its ongoing success, Richtech Robotics in late October agreed to become a franchisee of Ghost Kitchens America, expanding its partnership with plans to exclusively manage and operate 20 additional Walmart-located restaurants in Arizona, Colorado and Texas.
According to Harvard Business Review, more businesses in the hospitality market are deploying robots, which offer an “efficient and dependable service and frontline workforce,” in dealing with high turnover and difficult-to-find staff.
ADAM also was deployed as a bartender during the 2024 MLB All-Star Game this past summer at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, to alleviate customer wait times and offset workloads.
Header image: ADAM is the new beverage-prepping robot now deployed in an Illinois Walmart and other locations. Photo courtesy Richtech Robotics Inc.
