German Scientists and Circus SE Launch Autonomous AI Cooking Robot CA-1 in REWE Supermarkets
- MM24 News Desk
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Circus SE, headquartered in Munich, has deployed its autonomous AI robotics system CA-1 Series 4 in REWE Region West, bringing restaurant-quality meals from €6 directly into supermarkets. The first “Fresh & Smart” location in Düsseldorf Heerdt marks the world’s first AI-powered autonomous cooking system inside a retail store, creating a new frontier in food automation.
The debut of the CA-1 Series 4 at REWE Region West signals a major leap in retail robotics. The system autonomously prepares fresh, on-demand meals with consistent quality, precision, and efficiency. According to Nikolas Bullwinkel, CEO and Founder of Circus SE, “With ‘Fresh & Smart,’ autonomous robotics becomes part of everyday life — enabling fresh, high-quality food access through technology that’s both scalable and sustainable.”
The launch represents a strategic collaboration between Circus SE, a global AI and robotics company, and one of Europe’s largest retail chains. The REWE Group, with over 16,000 locations across Europe, now positions itself as a leader in in-store automation and food innovation, integrating AI and robotics directly into customer experiences. Lars Klein, Chairman of the Management Board of REWE Region West, said, “With the use of fully autonomous AI robots, we are showing what innovation in food retail truly means today: being close to customer needs, leading in technology, and maintaining the highest standards of quality.”
The CA-1 Series 4 robot leverages proprietary embodied AI and predictive models to anticipate demand, optimize meal preparation, and reduce food waste. Circus SE reported that the platform ensures consistent portioning, cooking times, and ingredient quality, all while requiring minimal human oversight. This is the first time that AI-driven culinary robotics are deployed at scale in a retail environment, according to TechCrunch, signaling a new era for food technology.
At the Düsseldorf Heerdt pilot location, customers can watch their meals prepared live by the autonomous system. From classic dishes to innovative recipes, all meals are cooked to order, ensuring freshness and maintaining restaurant-level quality standards. Prices start at just €6, making high-quality, freshly prepared food more accessible to everyday shoppers.
Beyond efficiency and quality, the collaboration also prioritizes sustainability. The predictive capabilities of the CA-1 Series 4 allow supermarkets to manage inventory more effectively, minimize waste, and align production with real-time customer demand. According to REWE press release, “We combine efficiency with enjoyment – turning grocery shopping into an experience of the future.”
The Düsseldorf Heerdt store is the first of three pilot locations. Additional stores in western Germany are already under construction, with plans to expand the Fresh & Smart concept across the region. The partnership demonstrates how Circus SE is translating cutting-edge AI research into practical, scalable solutions that impact everyday life.
Headquartered in Munich, Circus SE develops autonomous systems for food supply across both civilian and defense sectors. Its flagship robot, CA-1, is the world’s first fully autonomous food production robot in serial production, capable of delivering industrial-scale meal output with minimal human input. As Nikolas Bullwinkel emphasized, “Our launch with REWE marks the first real-world deployment of physical AI applied in retail environments.”
With the debut of the CA-1 Series 4, Circus SE and REWE Region West are redefining the intersection of technology, food, and retail — turning grocery stores into interactive, AI-powered dining experiences.
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