Shoppers at a REWE supermarket in D\u00fcsseldorf, Germany, are now witnessing what could be the future of food retail. A fully autonomous kitchen that prepares fresh meals without a single human cook. Munich-based robotics company Circus SE has launched its CA-1 Series 4 system inside REWE Region West\u2019s new \u201cFresh & Smart\u201d concept.<\/p>\n
It marks the world\u2019s first integration of autonomous AI cooking robots directly within a supermarket.<\/p>\n
The CA-1, a compact robotic kitchen enclosed in glass, performs the full process of meal preparation, from collecting ingredients to cooking, plating, and cleaning, entirely on its own. The installation, operated by Circus and powered by the company\u2019s proprietary AI software platform, marks a significant milestone for both retail automation and food service automation.<\/p>\n
Customers can now order restaurant-quality meals in-store, prepared on demand by the CA-1. Each dish, priced from \u20ac6 (roughly $6.94), is cooked live while customers wait, a process that takes only a few minutes. <\/p>\n
According to Circus, the robot can prepare up to 120 meals an hour, ensuring consistent quality without fatigue, breaks, or staffing issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe combine efficiency with enjoyment \u2013 turning grocery shopping into an experience of the future,\u201d says Lars Klein, Chairman of the Management Board of REWE Region West.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A new chapter in AI-driven kitchens<\/p>\n
The CA-1 Series 4, Circus\u2019 latest production model, is lighter and faster than earlier prototypes. Engineers redesigned the system\u2019s structure to shed nearly 450 kilograms, added modular grippers that attach magnetically, and refined the induction system to heat the pot precisely where needed. <\/p>\n
TechEBlog reports<\/a> that the robot\u2019s stirring speed automatically adjusts based on the meal type, while built-in sensors detect ingredient changes in real time.<\/p>\n Between meals, the CA-1 cleans itself. A built-in commercial dishwasher automatically sanitizes the equipment. Everything operates behind a transparent panel, allowing customers to watch as the twin robotic arms<\/a> move in synchronized precision, scooping, stirring, seasoning, and plating meals with minimal human oversight.<\/p>\n The collaboration positions REWE<\/a>, one of Europe\u2019s largest retail groups with over 16,000 locations, at the forefront of automated meal services in supermarkets.<\/p>\n While Circus operates the robotics systems, REWE provides the retail space and infrastructure, a model both companies say is scalable for future expansion. \u201cOur launch with REWE marks the first real-world deployment of physical AI applied in retail environments,\u201d said Nikolas Bullwinkel, CEO and Founder of Circus.<\/p>\n Automation meets convenience<\/p>\n The CA-1 system is designed to respond to real-time demand, using predictive algorithms to prepare only what is needed, thereby helping reduce food waste, which is a persistent issue in large-scale meal production. <\/p>\n Customers interact with the robot through a touchscreen or voice interface to place their orders, while the AI system<\/a> handles the rest.<\/p>\n The D\u00fcsseldorf installation is the first of three planned pilot sites, with the next already under construction. REWE Region West\u2019s partnership signals how supermarkets may evolve beyond retail into experiential spaces that merge shopping, dining, and automation.<\/p>\n