Chinese robot baristas serve quick, quality coffee in New Zealand

By Zhang Dongfang

(ECNS) -- New Zealand's coffee culture is undergoing a transformation, with a group of Chinese robot baristas stepping in to make coffee for local customers.

Marie Fan opened a COFE+ robot cafe at the Queen's Food Court in downtown Auckland in January, reported the country's Home Voice newspaper.

The robot barista is supported by technologies from Shanghai Hi-Dolphin Robot Technology, a company whose robots operate in over 30 cities worldwide. It is programmed to cater to the preferences of specific regions.

In New Zealand, the robot barista uses coffee beans favored by locals, such as 1960s Vintage and Ken's Choice, Fan explained.

COFE+ sells around 100 cups of coffee daily, each taking just 60 seconds to prepare. Encouraged by this success, Fan opened a second location in Newmarket recently.

"My cafe targets a different customer group compared to traditional coffee shops," Fan said. "Traditional cafes focus on creating a relaxed atmosphere and a sense of community, while my cafe caters to customers who prioritize a balance between speed and quality."

Daisy Willis, a downtown Auckland office worker, appreciates the efficiency of the robotic service. "This type of cafe is perfect for places like train stations, airports, and office buildings, where people don't have much time to queue for a drink, Willis said.

Michael Zhang, 46, believes that while robots are unlikely to replace human baristas entirely in the near future, businesses may increasingly adopt them to reduce costs.

Labor costs in New Zealand are high, and the country's economy is not doing so well, Zhang noted. "In the future, more businesses might explore this option." 

As robotic technology continues to advance, robots have been used in various fields in New Zealand. Over the past two years, service robots have gradually made their way into New Zealand's hotels and restaurants, handling tasks such as luggage delivery and meal service.