HEM fuel stations across Germany will soon introduce robotic food preparation through a partnership with technology provider Circus SE. The agreement between Circus SE and Deutsche Tamoil, which operates the HEM brand, will see the deployment of autonomous robots designed to prepare fresh meals directly at gas and service stations.
At the heart of this initiative is the CA-1 robot, Circus SE’s autonomous, AI-driven solution developed specifically for food service applications. The robotic system operates without human intervention, managing all aspects of meal preparation, from initial cooking to serving. This integration aims to improve convenience for customers who are seeking fresh, quick meals while traveling.
Nikolas Bullwinkel, CEO of Circus SE, emphasized the strategic importance of placing robots at busy travel locations, highlighting their potential to deliver quality food rapidly at points where consumers are frequently on the move. Circus SE’s broader technology suite will also support these robots, including cloud-based point-of-sale systems, real-time production management software, and user-friendly digital ordering terminals.
Carsten Pohl, Managing Director at Deutsche Tamoil GmbH, noted that integrating the CA-1 robot aligns with HEM’s strategy to offer unique, digitally innovative solutions at its service stations. Pohl expressed anticipation for the upcoming rollout, which he described as a forward-thinking enhancement to HEM’s existing customer services.
The partnership marks the first significant practical deployment of autonomous food preparation robots at fuel stations, providing valuable insights into customer acceptance and the scalability of autonomous cooking technology. Circus SE and Deutsche Tamoil plan the initial installations of the CA-1 robots later this year, a project that could reshape expectations around food availability and convenience within the mobility and travel sectors.
Circus SE, headquartered in Munich, develops autonomous systems for food preparation for both civilian and defense applications, aiming to create a global infrastructure to support widespread autonomous food service capabilities. Meanwhile, Deutsche Tamoil GmbH, headquartered in Hamburg, manages more than 400 HEM stations across Germany and is actively pursuing digital innovation and alternative energy solutions to modernize the mobility sector.
