Food Bayana, a new food hub in Bayan Lepas, Malaysia, is to collaborate with Pudu Robotics and Pentamaster to modernise its delivery processes and enhance its operations.

The partnership will involve the integration of advanced automation with diverse cuisines.

As the first fully automated food hub in the country, Food Bayana has gathered 31 of Penang's hawkers into a two-storey facility occupying more than 2,000m².

The facility features FlashBots from Pudu Robotics for precise meal delivery.

Pentamaster has been instrumental in deploying FlashBots at the hub. The company partnered with Pudu Robotics to design and implement the system tailored to the needs of the food plaza.

This system minimises labour costs and human contact, and ensures fresh and hot meals.

Food Bayana director Chuah Xin Er said: “Food Bayana exemplifies the seamless blend of modern innovation and sustainable living. It is more than just a food hub - it is a vision where advanced technology and eco-friendly practices come together to create a new experience for food and beverage.”

Food Bayana's two floors are organised into delivery zones in which 30 FlashBot delivery robots transport meals to designated spots.

The robots come equipped with real-time order tracking, navigation and 3D obstacle avoidance, enhancing service speed.

Customers place orders on the first floor and as their orders progress, they receive smartphone notifications with meals delivered to pick-up zones on the second floor.

The FlashBots' UV sterilisation cabinets ensure a hygienic dining experience.

The hub's repetitive tasks automation allows staff to concentrate on value-added services.

Pentamaster chairman Chuah Choon Bin stated: “We used our innovative spirit and like our tagline "Think Automation, Think Pentamaster" [for] the Food Bayana project [and] to resolve challenges on how to deliver the food efficiently to the patrons of Food Bayana, given it is a two-storey building. [...] we accepted the challenge and transformed Food Bayana into what it is today.”

In February 2024, Pudu Robotics launched KettyBot Pro, the new version of its delivery and reception robot, to meet the requirements of retail and restaurant customers.