Hi-Dolphin’s COFE+ Robotic Cafe Outperforms Human Baristas in Live Competition

Hi-Dolphin Robot Technology announced in a press release that its seventh generation COFE+ robotic cafe surpassed elite human baristas in a live competition at the 2026 Hongqiao International Coffee Culture Festival. The event was conducted under international barista competition standards and required participants to prepare three cups of premium Americano coffee.

The COFE+ completed all three cups in 2 minutes and 43 seconds, averaging 54 seconds per cup, while human baristas averaged 72 seconds per cup. The robotic system maintained a weight deviation of only ±0.8 grams, corresponding to a 0.3 percent error rate, compared with a 1 percent deviation from the human participants.

The 7th generation COFE+ platform integrates robotics and AI to monitor more than 300 extraction parameters in real time, maintaining consistent pressure and temperature during brewing. The compact kiosk occupies 2.3 square meters and offers 197 beverage recipes across eight categories, including coffee, milk tea, matcha, and plant-based drinks.

Hi-Dolphin’s COFE+ units operate in nearly 70 countries and over 200 cities. The company reports that a single operator can manage up to ten robotic cafes remotely, with each unit requiring under 15 minutes for restocking. The system’s design supports continuous operation in a wide range of environmental conditions and is certified for food safety across major markets.