□ AI-trained robot chef now serving Korean meals at six expressway service areas nationwide

□ 24-hour food court operation enabled by automation—enhancing efficiency and customer convenience

□ CEO Byungchan Jung : “We’ll continue to introduce robotics technologies that improve quality of life.”

[Photo] Hanwha Robotics’ cooking robot installed at Nongong Service Area (toward Gwangju) 

Hanwha Robotics has officially begun expanding its automated cooking robot lineup to highway rest stop kitchens across South Korea.

On the 16th, Hanwha Robotics announced the installation of five robot chefs at the Nongong Service Area (Gwangju-bound). The robots are based on the company’s collaborative robot model, HCR-5A, and are capable of preparing a wide range of Korean dishes—including ramen, udon, pork cutlets, and stews.

While typical commercial cooking robots are limited to just one or two menu items, Hanwha Robotics’ “Assistant Chef” can handle over five different dishes. It has been trained on popular highway food court recipes, particularly for high-demand items such as pork cutlets, udon, ramen, and traditional Korean soups.

With the introduction of cooking robots, the food court at Nongong Service Area can now operate 24 hours a day. Previously, limited night staffing forced operations to close by 10 p.m., but the new system is expected to significantly improve customer convenience and accessibility.

"The extended hours will not only benefit late-night travelers but also contribute to increased operational revenue,” said the service area’s facility manager. “This is a major step toward more efficient service area operations.”

[Photo] Hanwha Robotics’ robot chef in action, preparing food 

Hanwha Robotics’ cooking robots were first introduced in July last year at Sudong Service Area (Pocheon-bound), and have since been deployed at five additional sites: Yesan (Cheonan-bound), Jinyeong (Suncheon-bound), and Geoncheon (Seoul-bound), among others.

“Collaborative robots were once limited to industrial environments, but now they’re becoming part of everyday life,” said Jung Byungchan, CEO of Hanwha Robotics. “We’re committed to introducing robotics technologies that enrich daily experiences and enhance quality of life.”