Key Takeaways
1. Introduction of the Circus CA-1: A new cooking robot by the start-up Circus, which autonomously prepares meals using advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
2. Innovative Design and Functionality: The CA-1 features robotic arms, multiple ingredient containers, and cameras to manage the cooking, serving, and cleaning processes without human assistance.
3. Pilot Program Launch: The CA-1 is starting a six-month trial in three Rewe supermarkets in Düsseldorf and Bonn, aimed at supplementing staff and addressing skilled worker shortages.
4. Production Plans: Circus has made ten units so far, with plans to ramp up production to 6,000 units annually to meet future demand in grocery stores and self-service restaurants.
5. Job Implications: While the technology may automate some tasks, it could also create new job roles in maintenance and programming; however, traditional cooking techniques remain a limitation for the robot.
Vending machines that prepare full meals are not a new idea; pizza and burger vending machines have been around for many years. However, a start-up in Hamburg called Circus is looking to push this concept even further by using artificial intelligence. Their invention, the Circus CA-1, is a cooking robot that autonomously handles everything from chopping ingredients and heating food to serving dishes and cleaning up afterward. The CA-1 was introduced to the public on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at a Rewe supermarket located in Düsseldorf’s Heerdt area. Circus claims they are the only company globally that manufactures such systems on a commercial scale.
Innovative Design and Functionality
This robot, which has a modern stainless-steel look, takes up about seven square meters of space. Behind its screen, there are two robotic arms that prepare one of the eight available meals – like penne arrabiata, lentil curry, and the Austrian sweet Kaiserschmarrn – based on what the customer orders. Equipped with six cameras, the machine oversees the entire cooking process, using as many as 36 different ingredient containers to create, serve, and clean up without needing any human help. In theory, it can be set up to create countless dishes as long as the right ingredients and recipes are accessible. A video from RTL WEST shows the robot in action. Initial responses from customers have been mostly positive, with compliments for the taste and freshness, although some mentioned the food could be served a bit warmer.
Pilot Program and Future Plans
This launch signals the beginning of a six-month trial program at three Rewe stores in Düsseldorf and Bonn. The robots are on lease for this period, but the exact rental fees are not disclosed. The cost to purchase a Circus CA-1 is €250,000. Lars Klein, who is the Managing Director of Rewe West, pointed out that the robot is designed to supplement staff rather than replace them. The aim is to help tackle the shortage of skilled workers while also giving customers more fresh food choices.
Circus has reported that they have manufactured ten units so far and are currently working to ramp up production. In the future, they expect to produce up to 6,000 cooking robots annually. It might not be long before many grocery stores incorporate similar machines – or even whole self-service restaurants that rely entirely on this technology.
Job Implications in the Catering Industry
It’s still uncertain whether jobs in the food service industry will be safe in the long term. On one side, robots can handle some repetitive tasks; on the other side, self-sufficient cooking systems could lead to new job roles, such as maintaining and programming these machines or creating new recipes. Nevertheless, the robot does have limitations: it still can’t handle cooking techniques that involve breading, deep-frying, or flambéing.
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