"Pour me a cup of coffee."
At the 2026 Seoul Cafe Show held at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, on November 13, when a voice command was given to a water purifier displayed at Cuckoo's booth, coffee began to brew. A tablet connected to the purifier displayed the brewing process. The device also responded to the command, "Give me a glass of water." This is the 'AI Barista Water Purifier,' which allows users to dispense coffee and water using only voice commands.
Cuckoo, known for its rice cookers, is expanding its kitchen appliance business with artificial intelligence (AI). At its first participation in the Seoul Cafe Show, the company showcased over 60 products, including the AI Barista Water Purifier, cooking robots, and AI induction cooktops.
The Cuckoo exhibition area, titled 'CAFÉ de CUCKOO,' was designed to resemble a real café. The wooden-toned space featured coffee machines, water purifiers, and various cooking appliances. Visitors sampled coffee brewed with the fully automatic espresso machine, 'The Crema,' while exploring the product features. The exhibition area was divided into five sections, including a coffee bar, gourmet collection, and cooking robots.
The standout product was the newly unveiled 'AI Barista Water Purifier,' which integrates voice recognition technology into a traditional water purifier. Connected to a tablet equipped with a microphone, it allows users to control coffee brewing and water dispensing through voice commands. Users can also monitor the operational status on the screen. This product has not yet been released, and its launch date and price have not been determined.
An AI cooking robot also attracted attention at the exhibition. Developed in collaboration with food tech company Botinkit, this robot automatically prepares dishes like pasta and stir-fries based on pre-programmed recipes. Once ingredients are added, it follows the set order for cooking and even assists with plating the finished dish or cleaning the cooking utensils. It is designed to produce consistent quality meals without the need for skilled culinary staff.
According to Cuckoo, the cooking robot is already in use at a Chinese restaurant in Gangnam. The restaurant owner, who lacks experience in Chinese cooking, is able to prepare meals using the pre-programmed recipes. The automation of the cooking process reduces labor burdens and maintains consistent food quality.
Despite the high cost of the equipment, which can reach several million won, Cuckoo is offering rental options to lower the initial investment burden. The company utilizes its existing rental service network to provide support from installation to aftercare.
AI technology has also been applied to existing kitchen appliances. A notable example is the 'AI Triple Free Zone Induction' displayed in the gourmet collection zone, which detects when contents in a pot are boiling over and prevents it. This feature reduces the hassle of having to monitor the cooking process continuously.
Additionally, various cooking appliances such as direct-fire steam ovens, bread makers, and blenders were showcased. Products essential for café operations, including ice makers, dishwashers, and food waste disposers, were also on display. Cuckoo introduced store management products like the wireless vacuum cleaner 'Power Clone,' air purifiers, humidifiers, and commercial water filters.
This is Cuckoo's first participation in the Seoul Cafe Show. The company, which gained recognition for its rice cookers and water purifiers, is now expanding its product lineup to include coffee machines, cooking robots, AI induction cooktops, and robotic vacuum cleaners.
A Cuckoo representative stated, "We are expanding our product range based on the technology and rental service network we have built in our existing appliance business. We are broadening Cuckoo's business scope beyond home appliances to cafés and the food service industry."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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