YPC Technologies, a company headquartered in Montreal, has announced the successful completion of a $1.8 million seed funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Hike Ventures and Real Ventures, with additional contributions from Toyota AI Ventures and Uphill Capital, and will be used to facilitate trials of the company’s robotic kitchen technology.

Toyota AI Ventures contributed to this funding as part of its “Call of Innovation” program, which focuses on investments in early-stage companies developing AI, robotics, and other advanced technologies. Gill Pratt of TRI stated, “TRI is consistently seeking opportunities to enhance human capabilities and elevate the standard of living. The call for innovation provided us with valuable insight into how companies like YPC Technologies are tackling the challenges faced by individuals in urban environments, and we are impressed and enthusiastic about their progress.”

The field of robotics and automation has attracted significant venture capital investment, particularly during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Within this sector, food robotics has been a prominent area of interest. This is logical, as ensuring access to food is a fundamentally vital service. YPC Technologies’ offering centers on a robotic arm capable of executing recipes using a diverse range of ingredients – a concept similar to other systems currently available.

A key advantage of this subscription service is its compact footprint, requiring considerably less space than a typical commercial kitchen. This adaptability allows for deployment in a variety of settings, including restaurants, as well as smaller-scale operations like ghost kitchens and hotels.

The company also emphasizes that its system is intended to augment human workers by automating routine tasks, rather than eliminating jobs.