AUTEC

Name

AUTEC

Legal name

Autec Inc

Website

https://sushimachines.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Food Service Automation Equipment

NAICS

Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (33331)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Filling & Dosing Machines (Liquid/Powder/Solid) (IMAHAOAF)

Keywords

• Sushi robots
• Restaurant automation
• Commercial kitchen equipment
• Sushi making machines
• Food service robotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Torrance

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sushi Robot Hardware Sales: Sale of automated sushi-making equipment including maki makers, nigiri makers, onigiri makers, rice mixers, cutters, and accessories. Products range from $17,000 to $22,500 per unit depending on function. One-time payment or financing options available.
2. Payment Plans/Financing: Installment payment programs allowing customers to spread cost over time with approval in as little as 24 hours. Preserves working capital, provides obsolescence protection, and potential tax benefits.
3. Accessories and Consumables: Sale of AUTEX food-grade oil ($27.51 for 8 fl oz), replacement parts, and accessories. Subscription option for oil supplies.
4. Technical Support Services: After-sale support including troubleshooting, maintenance guidance, repair services, and replacement parts. Online troubleshooting guides and dedicated support team available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AUTEC designs, manufactures, and sells commercial sushi-making robots (maki makers, nigiri formers, onigiri shapers, rice sheeters, maki cutters, shari mixers), ancillary kitchen equipment (Fujimax rice cookers and rice washers), and front-of-house automation (H.A.R.T. autonomous service robots, chain conveyor belts, sushi trains, restaurant automation platforms). The product line targets food service businesses, sushi restaurants, and academic institutions, with units priced between $17,000 and $22,500 and supported by payment plans, financing, and after-sale technical service.

Product overview

AUTEC is a leading manufacturer of commercial sushi robots and restaurant automation solutions, originating from Audio-Technica's technology and headquartered with manufacturing in Tokyo, Japan. The product portfolio centers on sushi robots for professional kitchens and food service businesses, organized across three main categories: Sushi Robots (maki makers, nigiri makers, onigiri makers, maki cutters, and shari/rice mixers), Kitchen Equipment (Fujimax rice cookers and rice washers), and Automation (H.A.R.T. autonomous service robots, chain conveyor belts, sushi train/monorail systems, and a complete restaurant automation platform integrating digital ordering, kitchen display systems, and robotic food preparation). The ASM895A and ASM890A maki makers form the core rice sheet production line; the ASM440A and ASM410A nigiri makers produce rice balls at high throughput; the ASM575A onigiri maker creates Japanese rice balls; the ASM730A and ASM780A shari mixers season and cool sushi rice; H.A.R.T. 5 and H.A.R.T. 6 service robots handle autonomous item transport using LiDAR/SLAM; and the chain conveyor belt and sushi train/monorail provide front-of-house food delivery and ordering. Products are ETL certified and backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ASM895A Maki Maker

Quantifiable outcome

• Orders increased from 55 to 80+ per hour with ASM895A deployment at Belly Fish
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered foundational, core and flagship.

• Audio-TechnicafoundationalOthers · 1 January 1984AUTEC originated by leveraging cutting-edge technology from Audio-Technica, a renowned Japanese audio equipment manufacturer. Audio-Technica began in 1962 as vinyl record turntable manufacturer. In 1980s, during CD transition, employee idea contest led to toy sushi maker, combined with turntable concept to create ASM50 Nigirikko in 1984 - world's first automatic sushi maker for home use.
• FujimakcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for rice cooking and washing equipment. Fujimax produces rice cookers and rice washers that complement AUTEC's sushi automation ecosystem. Products include vertical stacking rice cookers (up to 33 lbs capacity) and automated Rice Mini washing machine.
• SUSHIDELICflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKawaii-themed immersive sushi restaurant by Tokyo-born artist Sebastian Masuda (creator of Kawaii Monster Cafe). Accommodates 60-70 guests. Powered by AUTEC Sushi Robots with menu collaboration between Japan and New York chefs. Features innovative conveyor belt system.
• Delic To-GoflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSUSHIDELIC's to-go business extending the Kawaii dining experience beyond the restaurant. Offers vibrant selection of sushi and Japanese favorites powered by AUTEC technology for pickup and delivery.
• Manpuku (West Hollywood)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst restaurant to offer Omusando 'rice sandwich' concept using AUTEC ASM865A sushi robot. Launched October 2020 as 20th anniversary celebration collaboration. Menu features US Wagyu Yakiniku, Spicy Miso Skirt Steak, and Beef Filet Cutlet Omusando options at $30 each.
• UC San Diego (64 Degrees Food Hall)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity sushi bar utilizing AUTEC machines (2x ASM865A Maki Maker) to produce high quality sushi for students. Opened October 2023. Achieved 597 sushi pieces at 80.8 pieces per hour in first two days. Rice sheets formed in under 3 seconds vs 10 seconds by hand.
• AUTEC Japan (Internal)coreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped AR installation simulation app creating life-size 3D models of AUTEC sushi robots within smartphone camera for space visualization. Free app for customers to preview equipment placement before purchase.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bear Robotics: US-based developer of autonomous restaurant service robots (Servi, Penny) that compete with AUTEC's H.A.R.T. 5/6 in the food-service delivery automation category, targeting similar enterprise restaurant and hospitality buyers.
• Pudu Robotics: Chinese manufacturer of commercial restaurant service robots (BellaBot, KettyBot, FlashBot) directly competing with AUTEC's H.A.R.T. line in hospitality food delivery automation, with strong global distribution.
• Miso Robotics: Developer of AI-driven kitchen robots (Flippy for frying, Sippy for drinks) for restaurant back-of-house automation. Competes with AUTEC in the broader category of automated commercial kitchen robotics targeting enterprise restaurant operators.
• Suzumo Machinery: Japanese manufacturer of automated sushi-making equipment (nigiri, maki, onigiri formers) for commercial kitchens. Suzumo is AUTEC's most direct head-to-head competitor in the core commercial sushi robotics category with global distribution.
• Richtech Robotics: Provider of service and food industry robots (Matradee, ADAM) for restaurants, hotels, and casinos. Competes with AUTEC's H.A.R.T. service robots and the broader restaurant automation platform.
• Keenon Robotics: Global commercial service robotics company with restaurant delivery robots that overlap with AUTEC's H.A.R.T. offering. Keenon serves hotels, restaurants, and hospitals — the same enterprise verticals AUTEC targets.

Broad incumbents

• Manitowoc Foodservice (Welbilt): Major commercial foodservice equipment OEM (brands including Lincoln, Frymaster, Merrychef) serving global restaurant chains. Represents incumbent competitive pressure on AUTEC's commercial kitchen automation stack.
• Middleby Corporation: Large US-listed commercial foodservice equipment manufacturer with a broad portfolio including cooking, refrigeration, and increasingly automated kitchen equipment. Competes as an incumbent with the resources to enter sushi-specific automation or bundle AUTEC-adjacent solutions.

Emerging players

• Chef Robotics: AI-powered robotic food assembly platform targeting meal assembly lines. Operates in the adjacent automated portioning/assembly category that could intersect with AUTEC's rice and sushi forming robots in the future.
• XRobotics: US-based startup building modular food-assembly robotics (pizza) for commercial kitchens. Adjacent to AUTEC's automation thesis and a credible emerging player in restaurant robotic food preparation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/autecinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/autesushirobots
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autec-sushi-robots
• Instagraminstagram.com/autecsushirobots
• Xx.com/autecsushirobot

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AUTEC