Circus SE, a developer of AI-powered autonomous robotics for the food service sector, has announced a partnership with a North American-based global leader in high-tech contract manufacturing to facilitate large-scale production of its flagship robot, the Circus Autonomy One (CA-1). The collaboration is set to enable an annual production capacity of up to 6,000 units following an initial ramp-up phase, with deliveries beginning in 2025.
The manufacturing partner, which operates over 40 factories and employs more than 26,000 people worldwide, brings extensive expertise across industrial, health technology, automotive, and aerospace sectors. The partnership leverages this global infrastructure to meet growing demand for Circus SE’s AI-enabled food service robots, addressing a backlog of pre-order agreements for 8,400 units.
The CA-1 robot, powered by CircusAI, is designed to revolutionize food service operations by automating tasks such as ingredient dispensing, cooking, cleaning, and packaging. This end-to-end solution aims to address industry-wide labor shortages while reducing costs, minimizing food waste, and maintaining stringent hygiene standards.
“Partnering with one of the world’s leading contract manufacturers is a major acceleration for our global rollout,” said Nikolas Bullwinkel, CEO and Founder of Circus SE. “This collaboration marks a significant step forward, enabling us to scale production and meet global demand as the first company to mass-produce AI-enabled food service robots.”
Preparations for high-volume production will commence in December 2024, with an initial focus on achieving triple-digit production volumes in 2025. The full-scale manufacturing target of 6,000 units per year is expected to be reached in the midterm.
Circus SE will retain full ownership of its robotics and AI software intellectual property while outsourcing production and assembly to its new manufacturing partner. The process will be overseen from Circus SE’s R&D center in Munich to ensure quality standards. Production will take place at a dedicated 35,000-square-meter facility, underscoring the scale of the initiative.
The company’s proprietary CircusAI platform, which powers the CA-1 robot, supports the creation of scalable, autonomous kitchen operations that require less space and resources than traditional labor-intensive models. This innovation positions Circus SE to address a market valued at USD 2.6 trillion while offering a competitive solution for clients in hospitality, institutional dining, mobility infrastructure, and retail food concepts.
With visibility on future production and pre-order agreements, Circus SE has developed a path to profitability. Management projects midterm annual revenue exceeding EUR 1 billion, with gross margins of over 60% and EBIT margins of 30–35%. The company also continues to explore capital-raising options, including a potential share issuance, to accelerate its growth strategy.
