Chef Robotics, a startup based in San Francisco, has raised US$20.6 million in a series A funding round led by Avataar Ventures. The company also obtained US$22.5 million in equipment financing to advance its robotic meal assembly systems.

Founded in 2019, Chef Robotics develops robotic arms intended for food processing plants. These arms, which have multiple joints and protective coverings, are mounted on metal racks next to food assembly lines.

They perform repetitive tasks such as scooping and spreading ingredients into prepackaged meal containers.

The startup aims to address labor shortages in the food service industry, characterized by high turnover rates and a reliance on temporary workers.

CEO Rajat Bhageria said the company has encountered challenges in automating food preparation due to variations in food textures.

There is also the absence of existing training data for robotic systems. To address this, Chef Robotics is creating its own training data to allow machines to perform delicate tasks, such as handling blueberries without causing damage.

The company’s robots have been used to produce over 40 million meals. With the new funding, Chef Robotics intends to expand operations to additional plants and manufacturers across the United States and Canada.