Crunchbase News‘ Joanna Glasner interviewed Rich Hull, CEO of Miso Robotics, to learn more restaurant automation and Miso’s role. With the hospitality industry facing significant labor shortages, the spotlight is on innovative solutions like robot waiters, cooks, and servers.

Despite some high-profile failures in the sector, including SoftBank-backed Zume, startups like Miso Robotics are gaining traction. Hull emphasizes that automation is becoming essential for survival in the industry, as labor shortages persist post-pandemic.

The article showcases recent funding rounds for startups like Bear Robotics and Aniai, highlighting the potential of autonomous service robots and burger-cooking robots. However, challenges remain in bringing these concepts to market and securing investor backing.

While some early ventures, like Cafe X and Spyce, have closed, Hull believes the market is still in its infancy. He suggests that it’s premature to judge the success of restaurant robotics, likening the current stage to just the appetizer in a full-course meal of innovation.