Aniai, a robotics company operating in the commercial kitchen space, has established a North American headquarters in New York City. The South Korean company also hired Eric Hansen to serve as its director of sales.

Hansen’s background includes working with such restaurant industry-related tech companies as Groupon and Uber Eats.

Aniai’s flagship product Alpha Grill uses artificial intelligence and robotics to automate the hamburger patty cooking process. Aniai is conducting pilot tests in collaboration with several North American chains, the company reports and expects its products to be implemented and active within multiple locations over the next six to twelve months.

Alpha Grill earned a 2023 Kitchen Innovations Award from the organizers of the National Restaurant Association Show.