Chef Robotics and ILPRA have formed a partnership to introduce an automated system that combines robotic meal assembly with advanced packaging technology for food manufacturers in North America. The collaboration aims to streamline production of ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat meals, integrating robotics and packaging processes into one continuous operation.
The joint solution connects Chef Robotics’ AI-driven robots, which portion and deposit meal components, with ILPRA’s packaging equipment, including tray sealers and form-fill-seal systems. This integration is designed to address persistent challenges in the food manufacturing industry, such as labor shortages, high production demands, and the need for consistent quality across multiple product lines.
Chef Robotics, headquartered in San Francisco, reports that its robots have prepared more than 70 million meals in commercial production environments across North America. Its systems operate through ChefOS, an AI platform built for food manipulation tasks. ILPRA, based in Mortara, Italy, brings more than 70 years of experience in packaging technology for fresh and frozen foods.
Company executives say the partnership allows manufacturers to automate a larger portion of their production lines. Rajat Bhageria, founder and chief executive officer of Chef Robotics, said the collaboration brings together artificial intelligence and packaging expertise to help producers enhance efficiency while maintaining consistency. Mike Cheatle, vice president of ILPRA America, described the partnership as an effort to deliver a fully automated solution that can support large-scale, high-mix operations. The integrated system is now available to food producers in the United States and Canada. Chef Robotics and ILPRA will demonstrate the technology at the EATS trade show in Chicago.
