Tokyo train station eatery gives soba-cooking robot a try

A soba noodle-cooking robot started serving hungry commuters at a Tokyo train station on Monday, in yet another example of Japan's shift to automation as labor remains in short supply. The robot has been introduced on a trial basis at Higashikoganei station on the Chuo Line, operated by East Japan Railway Co. (JR East). JR East said it would let the robot cook during a trial period through April 15 to determine whether it can function well enough and meet the expectations of its noodle-loving customers. Developed by Connected Robotics Inc., based in Koganei, the robot can boil up to three serves of soba noodles at once before rinsing them in cold water. Once cooked, a human has to plate them on the robot's behalf.