Robo Grill: Korean BBQ Delights at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Shin Starr: Revolutionizing the Food Industry with Autonomous Kitchens

Shin Starr embarked on a mission to create an autonomous kitchen that goes beyond just robotic cooking. The company understood that the key to success for its OLHSO Korean BBQ food truck lay in delivering hot, fresh, and delicious meals at an affordable price.

According to Kish Shin, co-founder and CEO of Shin Starr, customers prioritize value over the complexity of the technology behind the scenes. This customer-centric approach drives Shin Starr’s commitment to providing high-quality meals.

Leading the culinary operations is Han Sungil, a seasoned chef with numerous restaurants in Korea. With a brick-and-mortar establishment in San Mateo, the expectations for Shin Starr’s food are undoubtedly high. The company’s presence at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025’s Startup Battlefield 200 promises an exciting showcase of dishes like wagyu galbi and tteokbokki.

While companies like DoorDash are exploring autonomous delivery robots, Shin Starr takes a different approach by integrating its “Autowok” system into the food truck. This AI-powered robotics system automates cooking, serving, and cleaning processes, allowing for a seamless operation.

The innovative Autowok efficiently prepares meals while the truck is in transit. The system retrieves fresh ingredients, cooks them to perfection, and even handles cleaning tasks. This ensures that customers receive freshly cooked food, maintaining quality and taste.

Shin Starr’s focus on automation extends to its airport micro restaurant concept, where human-free operations enable round-the-clock service. This model addresses the demand for high-quality meals during off-peak hours, catering to travelers and late-night diners.

Gower Smith, Shin Starr’s Chief Product Officer, brings valuable expertise in automated retail to the team. With a background in high-tech vending machines, Smith’s insights drive the company’s strategy for expanding into various locations beyond airports.

Smith emphasizes the predictive capabilities of the micro restaurant, offering customers accurate cooking time estimates, crucial in fast-paced environments like airports. This human-assisted setup ensures smooth operations, requiring minimal intervention for restocking and ingredient preparation.

Looking ahead, Shin Starr envisions a future where its autonomous kitchens redefine dining experiences in diverse settings such as hotels, hospitals, and college campuses. The company’s innovative approach aims to deliver fresh, high-quality meals at any time, meeting the evolving needs of modern consumers.

For those eager to learn more about Shin Starr and other industry disruptors, TechCrunch’s upcoming event in San Francisco from October 27 to 29 offers a platform to explore cutting-edge innovations and engage with industry leaders. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the future of food technology firsthand.