[Case Study] Food Bayana Modernizes its Delivery Processes with Pudu Robotics' Service Robots

Introducing an Enchanting and Unique Culinary Experience



Food Bayana, located in the vibrant Penang Malaysia, exemplifies how innovative technology can seamlessly blend with rich and mouthwatering cuisine and cultural diversity.

This revolutionary food plaza is Malaysia's first automated food hub, spanning two stories and blending advanced service robotics and delectable dishes into a fun-filled, efficient, and sustainable dining experience. The facility spans two floors and features a fully automated system where Pudu Robotics' FlashBots deliver food to designated spots for awaiting patrons. 

Pentamaster Corporation Berhad (Pentamaster) established Food Bayana to create a groundbreaking restaurant in Penang's pivotal industrial district. The renowned food plaza's semi-autonomous design could support more efficient service and higher sustainability by integrating cutting-edge technology and Pudu Robotics' FlashBot into Food Bayana's human-driven cooking processes.

Serving the Backbone of Penang

Strategically located in a dense industrial district with manufacturing plants, Food Bayana caters primarily to hard-working blue-collar workers and their families. Due to the arduous manufacturing work conditions and uniformly scheduled work hours, the quick-service food plaza knew it had to deliver its hearty, delicious meals hot and fast. 

To make sure that the meals their chefs prepared reached their customers in time, Food Bayana introduced Pudu Robotics' FlashBots to perform their food delivery service. This fully automated food service system set a new efficiency standard for food service operations in Malaysia.

A Modernized Marvel

By incorporating robotics and intelligent systems, Food Bayana reduces labor costs and minimizes human contact, particularly relevant in a post-pandemic world. Many view this initiative as a significant step forward in Penang's development as a hub of innovation and sustainability.

The solution design and Pudu Robotics' FlashBot robust performance, user-friendly interface, and endearing appearance quickly won over the hearts and minds of the government's decision-makers. 

Much to Pudu Robotics' delight, the robotics industry leader won the project and began implementation in May 2024. After resolving some initial issues, the project was fully operational in July.

Robotics and Infrastructure Configuration

Robot Quantity and Operation

• 30 FlashBot delivery robots were deployed with 20 charging stations.
• The FlashBots operate from 9:00 am-10:00 pm.
• Each Flashbot has a fixed break time for charging.

Delivery Area

• The Food Plaza's second floor is divided into three delivery zones (zone A, B, and the Pork-free zone C), with each FlashBot assigned to one of the three delivery zones.
• Ten FlashBots per delivery zone allows efficient delivery across the entire area.

Elevator Method

• Food Bayana installed nine elevators, with three elevators each servicing the three delivery zones. 
• Each robot operates within its assigned zone using three dedicated elevators per zone for food delivery.

How the Delivery System Works

1. Customers place their orders at a self-service kiosk or a food stall and then pay.

2. Upon payment, they receive a receipt indicating where to sit on the second floor.

3. Each food stall is paired with a dedicated robot for food delivery. If the FlashBot is busy, an operator can summon an idle robot with a call button.

4. The food stall operators load the dishes onto the FlashBot according to the instructions on the order receipt. FlashBots can handle up to four trays of orders at a time.

5. Customers can scan a QR code to receive smartphone notifications about the order status from food prep to arrival.

6. The FlashBots then transport the orders from the first floor to the second-floor staff pick-up zone.

7. Food Bayana staff then retrieve the orders from the FlashBot and place them in the designated warming cabinets.

8. Once the orders are in the warming cabinet, customers receive a notification that their order is ready for pick-up.

9. The customer can then retrieve their nearby order.

10. Then go back sit in their designated area and enjoy their meal.

This fully automated delivery process expedites what would typically be a very long, tiring process for workers. Integrating Pudu Robotics' FlashBots increases customers' efficiency in receiving their food and helps prevent human errors such as spilled food, wrong order arrival, and cold dishes.

Although this process occasionally experiences delays due to slow manual retrieval from the FlashBots, prompting discussions about implementing robotic arms to replace manual tasks, this new Food Plaza layout has become wildly popular and heralded as a success.

Product Advantages

Several key product advantages have driven the success of Food Bayana's transformation into a two-story automated food plaza with Pudu Robotics' FlashBots.

FlashBot IoT connectivity plays a crucial role:

FlashBots can automatically receive operating instructions through a cloud network, and in other scenarios like hotels, they summon elevators and notify customers of delivery updates via phone. This connectivity ensures a seamless and timely delivery process, enhancing customer satisfaction.

Navigation and safety features are also pivotal:

Pudu Robotics' FlashBots are also equipped with 3D obstacle avoidance, detecting objects as low as 3cm and suspended obstacles up to 70 cm high using advanced RGBD cameras and custom LiDAR. RGBD cameras and LiDaR, combined with a robust ad hoc network for multi-robot cooperation, and the FlashBots' capability to efficiently navigate busy environments while coordinating with up to 20 other robots.

Additionally, the upgraded six-wheel independent suspension adjusts damping for stability across various floor conditions, enabling the robots to overcome obstacles and gaps and maneuver through spaces as narrow as 70cm.

FlashBots also excel in data transparency:

Pudu Robotics' FlashBot continuously uploads data to the PUDU CLOUD platform, which generates reports, monitors operations, and allows remote software upgrades.

This connectivity, safety, navigation, transparency, and control level ensure peak efficiency, making Food Bayana a modern, automated dining model.

Customization for Transformation

Food Bayana's successful transformation into a two-story food plaza with Pudu Robotics' cutting-edge service robots needs some modifications to the FlashBots and the facility to create a seamless and efficient dining experience.

FlashBot Modifications:

FlashBots received hardware upgrades, including modified trays with four sections and added cameras for improved recognition and positioning. Software refinements, such as simultaneous cabin door operation and heightened obstacle recognition, were also implemented for smoother navigation.

Advanced scheduling allows the ten robots per delivery zone to use the three elevators efficiently. In contrast, refined elevator logic, including turning and map-switching upon entry, has halved the delivery time to 15 seconds.

Engineers also streamlined FlashBot entry into narrow elevator spaces for more efficient operation.

Facility Modifications:

The facility was tailored to support these advanced robots, with dedicated pathways on the first floor and nine elevators specifically constructed for FlashBots, three for each delivery zone on the second floor. 

These modifications were essential in enabling efficient robot operation and ensuring the overall success of Food Bayana's innovative dining experience.

Together, these upgrades highlight the intricate planning and technology that made Food Bayana a revolutionary, fully automated dining destination, setting a new standard in Malaysia's food service industry.

Solution Results

1. Higher Efficiency and Speed:

Food Bayana's decision to deploy 30 FlashBot robots across its two-story food plaza has drastically increased the speed of service. By fully automating the food delivery process, reducing wait times and allowing customers to enjoy their food while they're still hot.

In this fast-paced industrial district, workers with limited meal times greatly enjoy the benefits of this optimized delivery system.

2. Convenience and Customer Satisfaction:

Due to the FlashBot delivery system, customers no longer need to stand around, clogging the floorspace to wait in line for their orders. Instead, they can sit at their designated tables and chat until they receive a notification to retrieve their order. 

This system enriches the dining experience by minimizing wait times, preventing frustrations with long queues, and hunting for an open table. Customers can now enjoy their meals in a timely and organized manner.

3. Reduction in Human Error:

Pudu Robotics' FlashBots have minimized human errors, such as delivering the wrong order, food spills, or delays due to manual handling. Food Bayana is digitally transforming its food transport to create consistent and reliable service, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.

4. Labor Cost Reduction:

By automating food delivery, Food Bayana has significantly reduced its reliance on human labor for repetitive tasks. This automation not only cuts down on labor costs but also allows the human workforce to focus on more complex and value-added tasks, such as food preparation and customer service, which enhances the overall operational efficiency of the food plaza.

5. Hygiene and Safety:

Minimizing human contact in food service operations is crucial in a post-pandemic world. The FlashBots reduce direct human interaction during food delivery and are equipped with UV sterilization cabinets, raising hygiene standards and making the dining experience safer for customers.

6. Technological Innovation and Market Differentiation:

Implementing Pudu Robotics' FlashBots has positioned Food Bayana as a pioneer in the food service industry. As the country's first automated food hub, Food Bayana attracts customers with its innovative, tech-driven dining experience, modern environment, and mouthwatering cuisine.

These technologies have not only boosted the plaza's reputation but also contributed to its popularity and success.

7. Scalability and Future Readiness:

The system's flexibility and scalability can nimbly adjust between peak demand and quieter hours. The current setup's success paves the way for further automation, like robotic arms for order retrieval, boosting productivity and mitigating labor shortages.

8. Data-Driven Decision Making:

The FlashBots' ability to upload operational data to the PUDU CLOUD platform allows for continuous monitoring and optimization of the delivery process. This data transparency empowers the system to maximize efficiency by helping Food Bayana identify areas for improvement and providing remote updates and maintenance.

9. Sustainable and Future-Proof Operations:

The reduced dependency on fluctuating labor markets, improved efficiency, and minimized waste (due to fewer errors) all contribute to Food Bayana's sustainability goals. By adopting Pudu Robotics' cutting-edge technology, Food Bayana aims to further future-proof its operations and become even more eco-friendly.

Customer Benefits

Food Bayana installing Pudu Robotics' FlashBots has not only brought a new level of convenience to the dining experience but also created an exciting attraction for visitors. Families and curious patrons are drawn to the food plaza, eager to witness the futuristic robots in action. 

This unique blend of automation and entertainment adds a distinctive charm to Food Bayana, making it a must-visit destination in Penang, where cutting-edge technology meets culinary delight.

Conclusion

Food Bayana has revolutionized its operations by integrating Pudu Robotics' FlashBots, creating a fully automated delivery system that takes customer delight and efficiency to new heights and strengthens its leadership in Malaysia's food service industry. The food plaza's digital transformation of its operations equates to a top industry trend in which convenience, moderation, and innovation are the keys to success.

As consumers increasingly embrace tech-driven solutions, Food Bayana's pioneering use of Pudu Robotics' service solutions sets a new industry standard. Forward-thinking approaches like automated delivery service elevate the guest experience, fortify the food plaza's competitive edge, highlight the crucial role of technology in modernizing businesses, and promote long-term resilience.

Stay ahead in the ever-evolving hospitality and restaurant industries—discover how digital transformation and automation, like Food Bayana’s success with cutting-edge robotics, can evolve your operations. Learn how you can achieve increased efficiency, guest satisfaction and market superiority.