When Shin Starr embarked on the journey to create an autonomous kitchen, the founders understood that relying solely on the novelty of robotic cooking would not ensure their success. The true measure of success for Shin Starr’s OLHSO Korean BBQ food truck hinges on delivering hot, fresh, delicious meals at an affordable price.
“At the end of the day, customers aren’t concerned with the intricate technology behind your truck or kitchen. They care about the value of the meal they receive,” explained Kish Shin, co-founder and CEO of Shin Starr, in an interview with TechCrunch.
Leading the culinary vision for Shin Starr is Han Sungil, a seasoned chef with over 18 restaurants in Korea. He has transitioned to the U.S. to oversee the company’s culinary operations, which also includes a brick-and-mortar restaurant in San Mateo. With such high culinary standards, the anticipation is building. While we haven’t sampled the food yet, we are keen to try the wagyu galbi and tteokbokki when the food truck makes its appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where Shin Starr is a proud participant in the Startup Battlefield 200.
While companies like DoorDash are venturing into autonomous delivery robots, Shin Starr takes a different approach: although a human drives the truck, it is equipped with the company’s innovative “Autowok,” an AI-enhanced, modular robotics system that automates cooking, serving, and cleaning processes. Once Han prepares the ingredients, the Autowok takes charge.
As the truck makes its way down the road, the robotic system retrieves fresh ingredients from a refrigerator and transfers them onto a conveyor belt. These ingredients are then placed into a specially designed, heated canister that mimics the action of a traditional wok, allowing for even cooking. After the meal is prepared and placed into packaging, the system efficiently cleans and sanitizes the canister, readying it for the next cycle.
“This system is structured to cook and serve food while en route,” Shin elaborated. “If you order a wagyu dish while the truck is 15 minutes away, it will start cooking just seven minutes before arrival, ensuring that your meal is fresh when served.”
While numerous robotic kitchen startups have struggled to align their products with market demand, Shin Starr is eyeing a unique opportunity in airports. The company plans to launch an OLHSO micro-restaurant in a major California airport, with additional airport partnerships on the horizon if the initiative proves successful.
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The automated nature of their airport micro-restaurant allows for 24/7 operation, eliminating the need for human staff.
“At 11 p.m., all the restaurants tend to close, leaving travelers with no food options for the next eight hours. Yet, nearly 10% of all U.S. flights occur during these late hours,” shared Tord Olav Dønnum, Shin Starr’s CMO. “Our solution will offer fresh, high-quality meals without resorting to vending machine snacks or stale sandwiches.”
In a strategic move, Shin Starr appointed Gower Smith as Chief Product Officer. With extensive expertise in high-tech automated retail, Smith’s experience is an invaluable asset to the company. He previously led Swyft, where he worked with brands like Best Buy and CVS to create upscale vending machines in highly trafficked areas such as train stations and airports, allowing brands to reach customers without heavy labor costs or large physical spaces.
Smith emphasized that the autonomous features of the micro-restaurant enable precise cooking time predictions. This is particularly beneficial in airport environments, where travelers are often pressed for time. While minimal human oversight will be needed for restocking and ingredient preparation, the system is designed for smooth autonomous operation.
“Airports are just the beginning for us; we also plan to expand into hotels and late-night venues where diners crave quality meals at 2 a.m.,” Smith told TechCrunch. “There are many opportunities for this kind of service in hotels, hospitals, and college campuses.”
To discover more about Shin Starr and explore an array of innovative startups, including guest presentations on various stages, join us at Disrupt, happening October 27 to 29 in San Francisco. Learn more here.
