Are we talking robots?​

Not quite. The site has 10 kitchens and is powered by a "futuristic fully-automated ordering experience” created in collaboration with eatsa, a San Francisco-based technology automation company.

How does it work?​

It’s essentially a hybrid of the delivery company's Deliveroo Editions ‘dark kitchen’ model and the Market Halls-type concepts that are currently popping up all over the UK​​​ (and indeed all over the world). All the food is available for delivery but there’s also a 40-cover dine-in space.

In what sense is it automated?​

Customers can order via self-serve kiosks on site and pick up their food from digital ‘cubbies’ (think Amazon lockers). ​Customers will receive a notification on a digital status board to pick up their food from their designated cubby, and can either eat it on site or take it away.

So no human interaction is required?​

It certainly looks that way. It's an interesting evolution of the street food market/indoor street food market model. Combining eat-in with delivery at existing venues can be challenging due to restricted access for couriers.

What restaurants are involved?​

The line-up includes Bonchon Chicken, Omakase Burger and Blu Kouzina.

Haven’t heard of any of those…​

That’s because the market is in Singapore’s Alice @ Mediapolis. The space has a stripped back and corporate feel - it must be said that it doesn't look nearly as fun as the likes of Market Halls, Pop Brixton and Boxpark, or indeed a Singaporean hawker market.

Is it likely to make it to the UK?​

There's no talk of the concept leaving Singapore at the moment. But if it's deemed a success it seems likely Deliveroo will look to bring it to other markets.