SoftBank Robotics and Bear Robotics unveil the Servi Q robot

On September 30, 2026, SoftBank Robotics UK announced the expansion of its range of robots for restaurants and hospitality across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The group will present four solutions, including the compact Servi Q service robot, co-developed with US-based Bear Robotics, at the EquipHotel trade show in Paris from November 2 to 5, 2026. The announcement illustrates the rise of kitchen and front-of-house robots in an industry facing persistent hiring difficulties.

Key takeaways

• SoftBank Robotics UK will exhibit in Hall 7.3 (booth S030) at EquipHotel Paris, from November 2 to 5, 2026.
• Servi Q, designed with Bear Robotics, is 35 cm wide and can travel through corridors just 45 cm wide, with a reversing capability presented as a first in its category.
• The STEAMA cooking robot prepares a noodle dish in about 90 seconds, using recipes from more than 800 restaurant brands, including Michelin-starred establishments.
• BOTINKIT Omni can prepare up to 30 portions at once and connects to a cloud platform offering more than 10,000 recipes.
• According to the trade outlet InfosTourisme, "cost will likely be the true deciding factor" in whether restaurant and hotel operators actually adopt this equipment.

Four robots for professional kitchens

The press release issued by SoftBank Robotics UK on September 30, 2026 details four solutions for kitchens and dining rooms. STEAMA relies on high-pressure, high-temperature steam cooking to deliver a hot dish, such as noodles, in about 90 seconds, without an oven or a chef on site: the device works from standardized recipes from more than 800 partner restaurant brands, including several Michelin-starred establishments.

FLAMA, the second solution presented, automates flame cooking from start to finish, from refrigerated storage to dishwashing, for made-to-order dishes such as stir-fries or pasta. BOTINKIT Omni, for its part, targets large volumes: central kitchens, contract catering, restaurant chains and dark kitchens. The device remains partially automated, with the cook staying in control of the process, and can prepare up to 30 portions at the same time, drawing on a cloud library of more than 10,000 recipes.

Servi Q, a service robot designed for tight spaces

The solution drawing the most attention remains Servi Q, a compact service robot developed by Bear Robotics in collaboration with SoftBank Robotics. Unveiled in May 2026 at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, it is described by Bear Robotics as the most compact model in its Servi range, designed for narrow corridors, cluttered passageways and venues where a larger robot cannot get through.

At the launch, John Ha, CEO of Bear Robotics, summed up how the two models in the range complement each other: "Servi Plus is the workhorse for high-volume venues. Servi Q is the key that unlocks everywhere else." John Ha added: "If you have a hallway, you have room for Servi Q." In practice, Servi Q can get through a passage just 45 cm wide with its 35 cm frame, automatically reverse when it cannot turn around, and coordinate its movements with the other robots in the fleet without relying on a centralized network.

EquipHotel Paris 2026, the European showcase for the offering

EquipHotel, the leading trade show for the hotel and restaurant industry, will take place from November 2 to 5, 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. SoftBank Robotics UK will occupy a booth in Hall 7.3 to present its full foodservice range to the European market, in a context the press release describes as marked by staff shortages, hiring difficulties, rising costs, inconsistent production quality and food waste. The move is part of SoftBank Robotics' expansion strategy in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, where the group has already been present for several years with cleaning and table delivery robots.

Cost, the main barrier to widespread adoption

Beyond the commercial announcement, trade press coverage of the show calls for nuance. In its October 2, 2026 analysis, InfosTourisme stresses that "cost will likely be the true deciding factor" in a hotelier's or restaurateur's decision to invest in this type of equipment, as European prices have not yet been announced. The article also points out that a robot alone does not solve a staff shortage: its value depends on the targeted task being repetitive, measurable and frequent enough to justify the investment, and it often requires reorganizing work processes and training teams.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Servi Q robot?

Servi Q is a compact service robot developed by Bear Robotics in collaboration with SoftBank Robotics. At 35 cm wide, it can travel through corridors just 45 cm wide and automatically reverse in spaces where it cannot turn around.

Which solutions is SoftBank Robotics presenting at EquipHotel 2026?

The group is showcasing four solutions: the STEAMA steam cooking robot, the FLAMA flame cooking system, the BOTINKIT Omni production unit and the Servi Q service robot.

When and where is EquipHotel 2026 held?

The show takes place from November 2 to 5, 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. SoftBank Robotics UK is exhibiting in Hall 7.3, booth S030.

Do kitchen robots replace restaurant staff?

No: this equipment aims to automate repetitive, time-consuming tasks, such as standardized cooking or carrying trays, so that teams can focus on welcoming and serving guests.

What this means for your projects

Elio Robot does not distribute SoftBank Robotics or Bear Robotics robots, but this news confirms a broader trend in the industry: service robots are shrinking to fit the tight spaces of restaurants and hotels, and repetitive tasks are increasingly automated in the kitchen as well as on the floor. It is precisely the role of a multi-brand integrator such as Elio to compare, for each establishment, the models available on the market based on the layout, activity volume and target budget, before proposing a suitable approach: purchase or 36-month rental, with installation, maintenance and insurance included, and hardware response within 48 hours anywhere in France.

Sources

• SoftBank Robotics Expands AI & Robotics Solutions for Foodservice in EMEA — Business Wire, September 30, 2026
• Robots in the kitchen: SoftBank accelerates its expansion in the hotel industry — InfosTourisme, October 2, 2026
• Bear Robotics Introduces Servi Q: The Compact Service Robot That Goes Where Others Can't — Bear Robotics