Japan's obsession with technology is seeing machines invade kitchens, as robots, rather than chefs, have been entrusted with the job of preparing the country's popular ramen noodles. At the Fua-men ramen noodle shop in the central Japanese city of Nagoya, two robotic arms busily serve their hungry customers, doling out nearly 80 bowls of noodles on a busy day. The benefits of using robots as ramen chefs include the accuracy of timing in boiling noodles, precise movements in adding toppings and consistency in the taste and temperature of the soup, said Kenji Nagaya, president of local robot manufacturer Aisei. Nagoya's robot factory opened the noodle shop less than a month ago to showcase the latest robotic technology. The noodle shop, which sells a regular noodle bowl with a pork broth-based soup for the equivalent of 7 dollars, is yet to make a profit, partly due to the large investment in the research and development of the robotic arms. But the restaurant is getting attention - and a reputation. I don't feel any difference in taste between this ramen and one cooked by a human chef, Yoshikazu Yamada, a first-time customer, said after slurping his noodles and giving two thumbs up. Humans have to step in occasionally to do some of the tasks - for example, preparing the soup stock, taking orders and receiving money. But the robot arms will take care of the rest. The machines are pre-programmed to boil noodles, pour the soup into bowls and sprinkle toppings on top of the noodles. I thought the robotic arms would just cut the noodles, but they actually make the whole thing from beginning to the end. I'm quite surprised, said Yuka Usui, who didn't mind travelling an hour so she could witness first-hand what she had seen in a gadget magazine. Customers in the restaurant are able to watch the entire process of the automated ramen-making, which takes a minute and 40 seconds per bowl, while waiting. In their downtime, the robots entertain customers by demonstrating various tricks, such as spinning dishes and mock duelling.
.jpg)
