Pictured (l-r): Dónal Travers, IDA Ireland Head of Technology & Emerging Business, John Ha, CEO & Founder Bear Robotics and Manon Keane, IDA Ireland Emerging Business.
Silicon Valley start-up, Bear Robotics, opens European hub in Ireland with plans to employ 25 people
California-based robotics company, Bear Robotics, has today announced plans to establish a European hub in Dublin.
The company’s flagship products, Servi and Servi Plus, are fully autonomous service robots that assist employees by taking on repetitive tasks, like running orders and bussing tables.
These service aids are used in a variety of hospitality businesses, such as restaurants, corporate campuses, hotels, senior living facilities, and casinos.
This hub is expected to create 25 jobs in the next 3 years, including roles in sales, software engineers, finance, and operations.
Servi Plus is designed to meet evolving market demands for higher capacity. It can carry 16+ dishes at once, with an expanded 40kg payload and enhanced suspension for transporting liquids and traversing ramps.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD said: “I warmly welcome Bear Robotics’ announcement to open a European Hub in Dublin, creating 25 jobs over the next 3 years. This expansion into Europe will provide innovative new ways of working for so many in the service industry and beyond.
“The use of service robots highlights the importance of technology and how we can use it as a powerful aid in our everyday lives. The new roles in Dublin will provide opportunities for our skilled workforce to join a new and exciting company as they begin their growth into Europe. I wish the team at Bear Robotics all the best with their European Hub and new chapter in Ireland.”
This new European hub will serve customers across the continent and help expand the company’s global footprint which includes offices in Redwood City, Dallas, Seoul and Singapore. As a part of this European expansion, Bear Robotics has recently deployed a Servi robot in Iceland.
Malachy Ryan, Head of Sales EMEA with Bear Robotics, said: “We plan to make a big impact across European service and hospitality spaces in the next few years. Our first robots have been installed in The Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth. Further robots will be deployed across Ireland and Europe over three to four months. Over the last few years, Ireland has experienced staffing shortages in the hospitality sector. We believe our robots will make a very positive difference for guests and the staff who will have a much better experience serving them.”
Dónal Travers, Head of Technology at IDA Ireland said: “Bear Robotics’ decision to locate its European Hub in Dublin where it plans on creating 25 new jobs is very good news. The technology employed by the company in the design and development of its robots is exciting and at the very cutting edge. I would like to wish Bear Robotics every success with its establishment in Ireland.
“As the hospitality industry evolves, we’re committed to meeting market demands across the globe,” says John Ha, Founder and CEO of Bear Robotics. “Our recent deployments in Dublin and Kildare are especially exciting as we believe there is an abundance of opportunities in the ever-growing hospitality and economic engines of the Republic of Ireland. We sincerely hope our automation solutions benefit businesses and elevate service experiences across this incredible region.”
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