The newest assistant in Seoul’s school kitchens doesn't take lunch breaks, doesn't mind the steam and automatically drains boiling grease after deep-frying. And according to local students, its cooking is a hit. Gangnam District in southern Seoul said Tuesday that its ongoing school meal robot program has undergone major upgrades based on feedback from school kitchen staff. The automated cooking system, first installed in August 2023 across three local schools — Gaeil Elementary, Gaewon Middle and Seoul Robotics High School — is proving that human-robot collaboration can transform high-stress workplaces. Originally launched as a pilot program with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and Korea Robotics — a local firm specializing in kitchen automation — the system pairs collaborative robotic arms with custom control software and heavy-duty cooking kettles. Rather than replacing kitchen staff, these mechanical assistants handle the most physically demanding tasks, from deep-frying to stirring large vats of soup and stir-fries. The safety improvements have been substantial