Workers assemble robots at a Keenon factory in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province.
By SHIN WATANABE, Nikkei staff writer
Keenon to have bases in 10 overseas markets this year.
SHANGHAI — As the pandemic propels restaurants and other businesses to keep their distance from customers, Shanghai-based Keenon Robotics looks to bring its automated helpers to markets across the globe.
At a Zui Hui Huang Chinese restaurant chain location here, Keenon’s robotic servers wait by the kitchen for meals to come out. Staffers load them up and tell them which tables to go to via touchscreen. Then they roll off, deftly avoiding obstacles in their way.
Built-in obstacle sensors are a major selling point of the robots. “They have an easier time carrying heavy things and can help ease labor shortages,” a representative of the restaurant chain said.
Keenon aims to have local units set up in at least 10 countries by the end of 2021. It opened a Japan arm in March with just under 10 staffers and is looking at South Korea and Singapore, as well as markets in Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Production capacity was roughly doubled in 2020 to prepare for overseas expansion. “Our factories all have extra space, and we can increase capacity to up to 200,000 units,” said Chi Xiaomin, who heads Keenon’s public relations — about triple current levels.
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