Robotic coffee bar: robot barista for events and businesses

Written by ROBOTio Team · · 5 min read

Article summary

A robotic coffee bar is a cabinet with a robotic arm that prepares coffee in 45 to 90 seconds. What it can do, what it needs on site and when to deploy it at an event.

A robotic coffee bar is a closed cabinet with a six-axis collaborative robotic arm that prepares coffee to order behind glass using a touchscreen interface. ROBOTio offers it as a short-term rental for events, long-term rental for businesses and as an outright purchase. It is not a humanoid, but rather an attraction where people stop, film and wait for their drink. For more details, see [Robotic coffee bar](https://robotio.eu/robot-coffee-kiosk). ## What is this robot A complete coffee bar in a glass-fronted cabinet. Inside, a robotic arm operates: it picks up a cup, brews coffee in the coffee maker, adds ice or syrup if needed, and places the finished drink in the serving window. The entire process is visible through the glass, and that is what makes the coffee a small spectacle. Specifications according to the manufacturer: - cabinet dimensions 1,500 × 1,450 × 2,180 mm, floor area 2.18 m², - weight 710 kg, cabinet has wheels, - power supply 230 V, 50 Hz, power consumption 3 kW, - 20–30 types of beverages, hot and cold, 4 syrups, - preparation time 45–90 seconds, - capacity for 100 cups, - ordering via 13.3" touchscreen. Actual throughput depends on the type of beverage and queue length. The 45–90 second figure is a manufacturer specification, not a guarantee for every situation. ## How the ordering process works 1. **Ordering:** the customer selects a beverage on the touchscreen and pays. The payment terminal is arranged in the quotation according to your business needs. 2. **Preparation:** the arm prepares the coffee and adds ice or syrup. 3. **Service:** the robot places the finished drink in the serving window. The recipes are preset, so each coffee looks and tastes the same. For a corporate event this is practical: you don't depend on who happens to be behind the bar. ## What you need on site The requirements are clear and should be verified well in advance: - space according to the device; the coffee bar requires approximately 1.5 × 1.5 m, - 230 V socket with 3 kW power capacity, - water from the mains or a barrel, and a waste container, - Internet for orders and payments, - covered space; the equipment must not be exposed to rain. The last point is essential for outdoor events. For an open-air festival, you must allow for a marquee or canopy. With a cabinet weighing 710 kg, also plan a transport route and level ground. ## Three ways to get the coffee bar ### Short-term rental for events We deliver the coffee bar, set it up and operate it throughout the event. It is suitable for [corporate events](https://robotio.eu/robot-hire-by-event-type), [trade fairs](https://robotio.eu/robot-hire-by-event-type) and festivals, or for shop openings. Cups can display your logo or menu. At events, our staff operate the robot, so the solution does not burden your team. ### Long-term rental for your business The equipment remains on your premises for months, with installation, training and service. During normal operation, someone does not need to stand by the robot, but someone must refill the coffee, milk and cups and clean the equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. The manufacturer states 24/7 operation. First, there is a trial period, and only then you decide. ### Purchase Delivery from the manufacturer, installation and training; warranty and service according to the manufacturer's terms. The option to [purchase](https://robotio.eu/services/sales) is handled individually. We do not publish price or delivery date on the website; we confirm them in the quotation. ## Where the coffee bar works well - **Hotels and offices:** coffee for guests and staff at any time, without a barista. - **Shopping centres and cinemas:** an attraction that brings people to your location. - **Car dealerships and showrooms:** the customer waits for the salesperson while enjoying coffee prepared by the robot. For such environments, a [showroom robot](https://robotio.eu/robot-hire-by-event-type) also works well. - **Trade fairs and corporate events:** a stand where people stop and linger. We know the impact from practice: a video from the Brilon × Aquatherm trade fair at PVA Expo Letňany has over 2 million views; see [case study](https://robotio.eu/case-study/pva-letnany-otevreni-haly). That featured a humanoid, not a coffee bar, but the principle is the same: a moving robot doing something useful in front of people attracts cameras. The coffee bar puts that in visitors' hands in the form of coffee. ## Coffee bar and humanoid: a perfect complement The robotic coffee bar does not speak to guests or greet them at the entrance. That is what humanoids from our fleet are for. [Unitree G1](https://robotio.eu/unitree-g1-basic) (135 cm) and Unitree H2 (180 cm) from manufacturer [Unitree](https://robotio.eu/brands/unitree) come with our operators, converse in the guest's language and personality and replies are approved in advance. At a stand or in a lobby, a humanoid can attract people while the coffee bar provides amenities and a reason to stay. If your focus is conversation and brand presentation, start with a humanoid. Find an overview in [models](https://robotio.eu/models). Similarly, the [ice cream robot](https://robotio.eu/ice-cream-robot) and [popcorn robot](https://robotio.eu/popcorn-robot) work for events where you want refreshments with impact. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many coffees can the robot prepare? According to the manufacturer, one coffee is ready in 45 to 90 seconds and the reservoir holds 100 cups. Actual throughput depends on the beverage and queue length. ### Does someone need to attend the robot? Not during normal operation, but someone must refill coffee, milk and cups and clean the equipment. At events, our staff operate the robot. ### Can we try the coffee bar? Yes, ideally through a rental at an event or a trial period in your business. ### Is the robotic coffee bar a humanoid robot? No. It is a robotic arm in a cabinet. For a humanoid at an event, we supply from our own fleet, namely the G1 or H2. ## Ready for a robotic coffee bar? Tell us where and for how long, and we will send you a custom quotation within 24 hours. Submit a non-binding request on the [Robot rental](https://robotio.eu/robot-rental) page.

Want to see a humanoid at your own event? Find out how to rent a humanoid robot with our own operators.

Category

technologie

Tags

  • robotic coffee bar
  • robot barista
  • event rental
  • trade fair
  • corporate events
  • collaborative robotic arm

About ROBOTio

ROBOTio helps companies rent, demonstrate and integrate humanoid robots: Unitree G1 and H2 for events, trade fairs, conferences and marketing campaigns — always with our own operators.