Artly Unveils the Mini BaristaBot: Compact, Customizable, and Ready to Redefine Café Automation
04 June 2025 | Expert Insight
COO Yushan Chen discusses how a compact design, advanced AI, and seamless customization are opening new doors for robotic coffee service in diverse environments.
In an exclusive interview with Robotics Business News, Yushan Chen, Chief Operating Officer of Artly, dives into the inspiration behind the new mini BaristaBot. Designed in response to real-world customer needs, this compact and highly customizable robotic barista brings top-tier coffee experiences to smaller, non-traditional spaces—without sacrificing quality. From enhanced learning capabilities to seamless café integration, Chen outlines how this innovation makes premium automation more accessible, efficient, and globally scalable.
What inspired the development of the mini BaristaBot, and how does it improve upon previous models?
The mini BaristaBot was developed in direct response to customer feedback. Many partners expressed the need for a more compact, flexible solution—and we delivered. It maintains the same precision and quality as our larger models, but with a smaller footprint and greater adaptability.
How important is customizable design in helping the mini BaristaBot fit into diverse café environments?
Highly important. Businesses have unique branding and spatial aesthetics. The ability to customize both the wrap and counter design ensures the BaristaBot integrates seamlessly into a variety of environments, from minimalist cafés to high-traffic retail spaces.
How does the compact size of the mini BaristaBot open new opportunities for locations with limited space?
The mini BaristaBot makes it easier for businesses to incorporate a coffee offering without requiring a full café build-out. It opens doors for locations like bookstores, salons, co-working spaces, and boutiques to add a new revenue stream with minimal space requirements.
Can you explain how the enhanced learning capabilities allow the mini BaristaBot to expand its beverage offerings?
Our enhanced learning system improves the BaristaBot’s ability to replicate the craftsmanship of a human barista across all models—not just the mini version. It’s a foundational step toward scaling human-like beverage quality. We share insights and progress regularly on our research blog at artly.ai.
What challenges and opportunities arise when integrating robotic baristas into traditional coffee shop workflows?
Our goal is to simplify the integration process. The mini BaristaBot is designed to be intuitive, low-maintenance, and cost-effective—making it easy for traditional cafés to adopt without disrupting existing operations, while enabling broader access to automation.
In what ways does the mini BaristaBot enhance the overall customer experience compared to human baristas?
It helps lower the hiring barrier and reduce labor costs, allowing businesses to reinvest in other areas—like premium ingredients, faster service, or improved customer hospitality. It ensures consistency and elevates quality while keeping the human touch where it matters most.
What future innovations or features are you most excited about for robotic baristas?
We’re actively developing a faster, more affordable, and fully enclosed model, as well as a bionic hand version in collaboration with our hardware partners. Seeing more customers embrace these innovations and push boundaries alongside us is incredibly exciting.
Are there plans for international expansion, and which markets are priorities for Artly’s growth?
Yes, we’re open to global partnerships and actively exploring international opportunities. We welcome conversations with partners in high-traffic locations worldwide who are passionate about bringing Artly’s robotic coffee experience to their markets.
