Artly Coffee, a chain of coffee shops based in Seattle, Washington, is redefining the coffee experience with its unique blend of artistry and cutting-edge technology. Founded by Meng Wang, this innovative coffee chain has garnered significant attention, securing an $8 million investment round in 2022. Moreover, Artly Coffee's owner, Wenbo Yang, has demonstrated exceptional talent, winning first place in the Brewers Cup category and runner-up in the Latte Art category at the U.S. Coffee Championships in 2023.
Embracing Robotic Baristas
Step into the world of Artly Coffee near Pike Place Market in Seattle, and you'll be warmly greeted by a friendly voice, "Hi, I am Jarvis. It is my pleasure to serve you today." However, don't expect eye contact because Artly Coffee is no ordinary coffee shop—it's Seattle's first artificial intelligence coffee bar, featuring barista bots named Jarvis and Amanda.
After hearing from friends who owned small coffee shops, Co-founder Meng Wang's background in AI and robotics at Amazon sparked the idea of creating a coffee bar with robotic baristas. They emphasized the importance of consistency in every cup they serve. Knowing that robots could learn and execute precisely, Wang set out to revolutionize the coffee experience.
Despite the advanced technology, Artly Coffee's mission remains human-centric, primarily preserving the craft of coffee-making. Wang is firm that robots will never replace masterful human baristas; rather, the barista bots are here to extend their skills to more places, not replace them entirely.
Artly Coffee always has at least one human staff member on-site to answer ordering questions and serve treats from a delightful pastry case. However, most of the customer interactions are facilitated through technology. Customers can conveniently place their orders online or at kiosks, and the barista bots are equipped with microphones and AI learning to respond to some spoken questions.
These friendly robots also offer recommendations, like suggesting stirring iced lattes for a better taste. Their precision and dedication to excellent service have won the hearts of first-time customers like Diana Sabb, who expressed her delight and called the experience "delicious" and "amazing."
New Location in NYC
As of July 12, 2023, Artly Coffee is delighted to announce the opening of its newest location in the vibrant city of New York. Nestled in the bustling MUJI Hudson Yards, this new outlet aims to share the magic of the Artly Barista Bot Coffee with the enthusiastic New York community.
The Art of Coffee Experience
At Artly Coffee, coffee brewing is elevated to an art form. A dedication to preserving the craft of coffee making is evident in every cup served. Champion-quality coffee beans, roasted by the renowned US barista champion Joe Yang, are meticulously selected to ensure each sip tantalizes the taste buds.
But Artly Coffee's dedication to excellence continues after the beans. The robotic baristas, ingeniously designed with deep learning AI and computer vision, consistently produce the perfect cup of coffee. As the bots learn and adapt, human baristas can use imitation learning platforms to teach them new tricks, providing an ever-evolving coffee experience.
While Artly Coffee's robotic baristas embody the technological marvel, the chain's commitment to maintaining artistry shines through. Embracing innovation and traditional barista skills, Artly Coffee ensures a seamless blend of art and technology in every cup.
Pop-up Module Ready to Roam
Expanding beyond traditional store locations, Artly Coffee's Popup Barista Bot is a smaller, flexible version of its coffee station. Designed to cater to various events, exhibitions, and high-traffic areas, this innovative module brings an exceptional coffee experience wherever it goes. It finds its dedicated space at the Hill7 location when not scheduled for events.
Where Are the Artly Coffee Bots?
The Artly Barista Bot are in the following states: New York, Washington, Oregon, California. Artly Coffee has nine locations, with the Seattle spot being the only one in Washington State. However, Wang has ambitious plans to expand their presence throughout the West Coast, aiming to open ten more locations in 2023.
Conclusion
Artly Coffee is undoubtedly a caffeinated glimpse into the future, combining cutting-edge technology with a passion for preserving the human artistry of coffee-making. Wang playfully suggests that it's "one version of the future." So, whether you're a tech enthusiast, coffee lover, or both, Artly Coffee is waiting to serve you. With locations spanning the Pacific Northwest and a new venture in the heart of New York City, this visionary coffee chain continues to inspire coffee enthusiasts worldwide. Artly Coffee invites you to experience the future of coffee making, where robotic baristas deliver artful and exceptional coffee to ignite your senses.
Meet the expert
Amélie has a dual Bachelor of Biological Sciences and Literature. She wrote a Master's Thesis on the importance of blending scientific knowledge with the arts to create a healthier culture. She also has a Bachelor of Education and has been teaching Biology and Language Arts since 2016. She is happily addicted to coffee and constantly learning.