Nala Robotics introduces Pizzaiola robotic arm

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - Nala Robotics Tuesday unveiled Pizzaiola, a fully automated robotic arm that can prepare and cook up to 50 pizzas an hour, the company said.

Pizzaiola is a complete solution for restaurateurs to easily customize a pizzeria-style eatery with expanded menu items such as pasta, salads, burgers and wings, among other options, it said.

The machine works within a 12-by-12-foot space and can select between five dough types, four varieties of sauces and 35 choices of toppings and cheeses. No humans are involved in the entire pizza-making process. The robotic arm selects and presses the dough, adds the sauce, cheese and toppings, and then cooks, slices and boxes the pizzas in 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 16- or 18-inch sizes.

"Most importantly, our model allows kitchens to seamlessly add fryers, grills and other food making and prep stations within the same 144-square foot area to offer additional menu items, such as fries, bowls, burgers, wings, salads, pasta and more," said Ajay Sunkara, co-founder and CEO, Nala Robotics.

Nala Robotics' modular solution also gives kitchens the opportunity to choose from a variety of pizza ovens, including traditional, conveyor-style and brick.