Beijing issues first catering business license to multitask cooking robot
Beijing recently issued the first catering business license to a type of robot, pioneering regulation of embodied intelligence application in the country's catering industry amid rapid development in the sector.
Unlike single-task robots, such as pancake-making or noodle-cooking machines, the embodied intelligence robots developed by EncoSmart Technology, a Beijing-based company, can cook different types of cuisine.
The robots, which look like robotic arms, can also keep learning to create new menus and avoid safety risks based on the working environment.
"Artificial intelligence is an inevitable trend in the food and beverage industry," said Xia Pingping, head of the catering department of the Haidian District Market Regulation Bureau, which granted EncoSmart the city's first food business license for its embodied intelligence robots.
"Before issuing the license, we rigorously examined the product to ensure it complies with national food safety regulations. The robot design prioritizes safety, from hardware materials to software algorithms," she said.
Tian Yan, head of smart project development at EncoSmart, said: "We've already deployed our first-generation robot offering fried food in certain office buildings in Haidian. By the end of the year, we plan to expand the services to chain restaurants, rolling out robots capable of making ice cream, drinks and salads."
A report issued by the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau in April highlighted challenges in the local restaurant industry, including high rents, labor costs and ingredient prices, coupled with low profits.
Tian said she believes that embodied intelligence technology can help reduce costs, streamline food processing, and meet consumer demand for precise and consistent flavors.
"Our goal is to make consumer-grade robots more affordable and accessible," she said. "Safety is the core. Our robots can learn through algorithms to improve heating efficiency in order to make the food more tasty. The sensors on robots can monitor the temperatures of oil in order to avoid any kitchen fire risks."
Chen Zhen, CEO of EncoSmart, said the company would tap the overseas market in the following two years, starting with two major robot products aimed at Western catering markets.
"The overseas market has great opportunities, but it's also pretty challenging," he said. "It's essential for us to obtain the product certifications and win the trust of the clients there."
To address new challenges facing food safety, the State Administration for Market Regulation revised the measures for the administration of food trade licensing, which now include provisions for automated food service devices. The measures took effect on Dec 1.
Haidian district is leading AI-driven food safety regulation, setting standards for embodied AI in food processing, including basic safety, system design, food hygiene and operational norms, filling a regulatory gap in the AI-powered catering industry.
AI food safety oversight differs from traditional restaurant regulation, said Duan Xing, head of the market regulation office in Haidian's Huayuanlu subdistrict.
"Our approach focuses on three areas, including process and equipment control to guarantee smooth operation, as well as data control to maintain traceability throughout," Duan said.
A report released at the 2024 Beijing Catering Brand Conference noted that 4,842 new restaurants were registered in the city in the first half of the year, with an average of 26.5 new restaurants opening daily. While overall restaurant consumption remains stable, the industry is undergoing rapid change, requiring businesses to enhance their resilience and quality.
Wang Xinwei, deputy secretary-general of the Beijing Branch of the World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry, said, "The first embodied AI robot food business license signifies that this cutting-edge technology is quickly entering the food and beverage market, allowing for large-scale commercialization and reducing the complexity of recipe replication and chef hiring."
"While the spread of embodied AI robots may increase short-term employment pressure, in the long run, they will drive the restaurant industry toward greater intelligence, creating new jobs. The key is balancing technological progress with social responsibility to ensure harmonious economic and social development," Wang said.
北京最近向一种机器人发放了第一张餐饮经营许可证，在该行业快速发展的情况下，率先对该国餐饮业的嵌入式智能应用进行了监管。
与煎饼机或面条机等单任务机器人不同，北京安可智能科技公司开发的嵌入式智能机器人可以烹饪不同类型的菜肴。
这些看起来像机械臂的机器人还可以根据工作环境不断学习创建新菜单并避免安全风险。
海淀区市场监管局餐饮部门负责人夏萍萍表示：“人工智能是食品饮料行业的必然趋势。”该局为EncoSmart的嵌入式智能机器人颁发了该市首个食品经营许可证。
她说：“在颁发许可证之前，我们严格检查了产品，以确保其符合国家食品安全法规。机器人设计优先考虑安全，从硬件材料到软件算法。”。
EncoSmart智能项目开发负责人田燕表示：“我们已经在海淀的某些办公楼部署了第一代提供油炸食品的机器人。到今年年底，我们计划将服务扩展到连锁餐厅，推出能够制作冰淇淋、饮料和沙拉的机器人。”
北京市商务局4月份发布的一份报告强调了当地餐饮业的挑战，包括高租金、劳动力成本和食材价格，以及低利润。
田说，她相信嵌入式智能技术可以帮助降低成本，简化食品加工，满足消费者对精确一致口味的需求。
她说：“我们的目标是让消费级机器人更实惠、更容易获得。”。“安全是核心。我们的机器人可以通过算法学习提高加热效率，使食物更加美味。机器人上的传感器可以监测油温，以避免任何厨房火灾风险。”
EncoSmart首席执行官陈震表示，该公司将在未来两年内开拓海外市场，从针对西方餐饮市场的两款主要机器人产品开始。
他说：“海外市场有很大的机会，但也很有挑战性。”。“获得产品认证并赢得客户的信任对我们来说至关重要。”
为应对食品安全面临的新挑战，国家市场监督管理总局修订了食品贸易许可管理办法，其中现在包括对自动化食品服务设备的规定。这些措施于12月1日生效。
海淀区正在引领人工智能驱动的食品安全监管，为食品加工中的体现人工智能制定标准，包括基本安全、系统设计、食品卫生和操作规范，填补了人工智能驱动餐饮业的监管空白。
海淀区花园路街道市场监管办公室主任段星表示，人工智能食品安全监管不同于传统的餐馆监管。
段说：“我们的方法侧重于三个方面，包括过程和设备控制，以确保平稳运行，以及数据控制，以保持整个过程的可追溯性。”。
2024年北京餐饮品牌大会发布的一份报告指出，今年上半年，该市注册了4842家新餐厅，平均每天有26.5家新餐厅开业。虽然整体餐厅消费保持稳定，但该行业正在经历快速变化，要求企业提高韧性和质量。
世界华人餐饮业联合会北京分会副秘书长王新伟表示：“首个体现人工智能的机器人食品营业执照意味着这项尖端技术正在迅速进入食品和饮料市场，实现大规模商业化，降低食谱复制和厨师招聘的复杂性。”
王说：“虽然嵌入式人工智能机器人的普及可能会增加短期就业压力，但从长远来看，它们将推动餐饮业走向更高的智能化，创造新的就业机会。关键是要平衡技术进步与社会责任，以确保经济和社会的和谐发展。”。
【语法填空改编】
Beijing recently issued the first catering business license to a type of robot,1.________ (pioneer) regulation of embodied intelligence application in the country's catering industry amid rapid development in the sector.Unlike single-task robots, such as pancake-making 2._______ noodle-cooking machines, the embodied intelligence robots developed by EncoSmart Technology, a Beijing-based company, can cook different 3._________(type) of cuisine.The robots,4.__________ look like robotic arms, can also keep learning to create new menus and avoid safety risks based on the working environment.
5._________(address) new challenges facing food safety, the State Administration for Market Regulation revised the measures for the administration of food trade licensing, which now include provisions for automated food service devices. The measures 6.______(take) effect on Dec 1.Haidian district is leading AI-driven food safety regulation, setting standards 7.______ embodied AI in food processing, including basic safety, system design, food hygiene and operational norms, filling 8._________ regulatory gap in the AI-powered catering industry.A report released at the 2024 Beijing Catering Brand Conference noted that 4,842 new restaurants were registered in the city in the first half of the year, with an average of 26.5 new restaurants opening 9._______(day). While overall restaurant consumption remains stable, the industry is undergoing rapid change, requiring businesses to enhance 10._______(they) resilience and quality.
【参考答案】
1.pioneering 2.or 3.types 4.which 5.To address 6.took 7.for 8.a 9.daily 10.their
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