Hi-Dolphin Robot Technology has launched the 7th-Generation COFE+ Fully Automated Robotic Café globally, debuting the platform at the 2026 Hongqiao International Coffee Culture Festival with a live competition against elite human baristas — a contest the machine won. The unit averaged 54 seconds per cup with a reported 0.3% error rate, metrics Hi-Dolphin says demonstrate commercial-grade consistency for high-volume beverage service.
The COFE+ is positioned as an all-in-one café solution, integrating autonomous robotics and what the company describes as advanced autonomous technology to handle the full brew cycle without human intervention. For operators evaluating ice-and-beverage automation, the 54-second throughput figure translates to roughly 66 cups per hour at continuous operation — a relevant benchmark for airport concessions, hotel lobbies, office campuses, and stadium grab-and-go formats where labor cost and consistency are primary spec drivers.
The global launch signals Hi-Dolphin's intent to move the COFE+ beyond its domestic Chinese market into international foodservice channels. Dealers and consultants specifying beverage stations for low-staffing environments will find the platform relevant as operators continue to navigate persistent labor shortages. The robotic café category has drawn increased attention across the cooking-equipment and automation segment as manufacturers seek to address front-of-house throughput with reduced headcount.
No NSF, UL, or ENERGY STAR certifications were cited in the announcement materials. Footprint dimensions, power draw (kW), water connection specs, and North American dealer channel details were not disclosed at launch time. Buyers and consultants will want to confirm those parameters — along with local health code compliance — before specifying the unit for U.S. installations.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
