Circus SE completes first production of CA-1 robots in high-volume facility

Circus SE said its CA-1 robot can prepare meals in three to four minutes. | Source: Circus SE

Circus SE, a developer of artificial intelligence-powered robotics for autonomous food preparation, this week announced that it has begun production of its fourth-generation CA-1 robot in its new high-volume facility. The company said several additional robots are already in production in parallel.

This milestone came six months after Circus set up the factory. The company said it designed the factory around an intelligent, modular setup to manufacture robots at scale.

“This step proves that Circus can not only design breakthrough technology, but also scale it to industrial production at the highest quality levels,” stated Nikolas Bullwinkel, founder and CEO of Circus SE. “CA-1 consists of over 29,000 individual components, making it as complex as a small car — and we are now manufacturing and delivering at industrial scale. The era of autonomous nutrition has started — and Circus is leading it globally.”

Munich, Germany-based Circus SE said it provides autonomous systems and software for the labor-intensive food service sector.  It said its CA-1 robot applies embodied AI, integrating AI into real-world operations. The company has been growing its international presence.

CA-1 system undergoes rigorous testing

CA-1 uses smart food silos to track inventory and ensure optimal storage conditions. People can interact with the robot via a terminal that allows customers to order food. The system also includes a self-cleaning system for low-maintenance operation.

To cook food, the robot uses induction pots for rapid heating and energy efficiency. Its robotic arms automate dispensing, cooking, and plating. Circus SE equipped the system with AI-driven computer vision monitoring for operational control, maintenance, and quality assurance. Finally, heated silos keep meals warm while waiting for pickup.

Every CA-1 undergoes more than 150 precision tests to guarantee enterprise-grade reliability — a level of engineering that mirrors the automotive industry, Circus claimed. Celestica, its global production partner, has experience in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to support the global scaling of the food-preparation robots.

“With this achievement, Circus has moved beyond development into industrial scale-up,” said Haomiao Fang, vice president of hardware engineering at Circus. “With our validated setup, we are ready to deliver thousands of units per year and scale with global demand.”

Last week, Circus partnered with Secura, a provider of large-scale corporate facility management systems. The companies will scale deployment of the CA-1, starting with the city of Ingolstadt.

Circus SE focuses on expanding AI capabilities

With the completion of the industrialization phase and factory setup for the CA-1, Circus SE aims to bring its second autonomous system — the CA-M, designed for defense use — to high-volume production from later next year. The company is already exploring production options across Europe and the U.S.

Circus has also received certification from NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), enabling it to fully participate in procurement and direct contract awards across member states.

In May, Circus acquired FullyAI, an agentic AI developer. FullyAI said it enables real-time operational decision-making, predictive maintenance, and personalized user experiences. The unit‘s software will process billions of data points from the CA-1 cooking robots to unlock a self-improving intelligence layer that connects every process in real time, according to Circus.

Editor’s note: RoboBusiness 2025, which will be on Oct. 15 and 16 in Santa Clara, Calif., will feature tracks on physical AI, enabling technologies, humanoids, field robotics, design and development, and business. Registration is now open.

Keep track of your essentials with the Apple AirTag 4 Pack, the ultimate tracking solution for your belongings. With over 5,972 ratings and a stellar 4.7-star average, this product has quickly become a customer favorite. Over 10,000 units were purchased in the past month, solidifying its status as a highly rated Amazon Choice product.

For just $79.98, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your items are always within reach. Order now for only $79.98 at Amazon!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!