At Garcia de Pou, we continue to bet on innovation in the hospitality and food service industry. We are proud to be the packaging partner for SELF™, the world’s first AI-robotized restaurant in an airport, inaugurated at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport by the Areas group. This innovative concept redefines the dining experience in airports, combining cutting-edge technology with efficiency and fast service.
SELF™: a revolution in airport dining
Located in Terminal 1, next to boarding gate B24, SELF™ introduces a new way to serve travellers. A robotic arm with five tactile fingers, vision, and artificial intelligence can manage and deliver orders quickly and efficiently, reducing waiting times and improving the customer experience. The robot works in coordination with a human team responsible for in-room assistance and collection service.
Arriving at the restaurant, the customer selects their products, makes the payment, and receives a ticket with a number and a QR code. SELF™ prepares and organizes the orders on trays, up to six at a time, notifying the customer on-screen when their order is ready for pickup. Additionally, it manages inventory and supply with high efficiency, operating autonomously but in close collaboration with the team. Equipped with advanced artificial intelligence and a camera, it learns and makes optimal decisions in real-time, allowing it to “see” and adapt to the environment to improve service quality and speed.
SELF™ is the first AI-robotized restaurant and is located at Barcelona Airport.
SELF™’s food offering includes the most in-demand products for travellers: coffee, premium sandwiches, pastries, salads, pokes, desserts, and soft drinks, all prepared daily to ensure freshness and quality.
Our packaging, present in the SELF™ experience
As the packaging partner for the project, at Garcia de Pou, we have provided sustainable and functional solutions tailored to the needs of an innovative environment like SELF™. Our packaging is made from FSC™-certified paper and is 100% recyclable. Among our products available at the restaurant, the following stand out:
- Kraft paper bags with handles, ideal for take-away.
- Boxes for sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs, designed to preserve freshness and facilitate consumption.
- Coffee stirrers, practical and sustainable, perfect for accompanying hot beverages.
Our collaboration with SELF™ reinforces our commitment to innovation in the HORECA sector and allows us to continue offering packaging solutions adapted to new automated dining models.
The robotic arm with vision and artificial intelligence can prepare up to six orders at a time.
A project that marks a turning point
SELF™ has been developed with Spanish innovation and engineering by IJRRobótica, ICG (management software), and the Vending Companies Association (AEV). It has also been supported by the German multinational manufacturer of industrial robots and automation solutions KUKA, Mastercard, and the collaboration of Mahou San Miguel, Coca-Cola, Frit Ravich, Lavazza, Montaraz, Gufresco, Danone, and Evian, among others.
The implementation of SELF™ at Barcelona Airport represents a milestone in travel dining and a reference model for future developments in airports and other transit spaces. The combination of artificial intelligence and robotization with a supporting human team ensures efficient service without sacrificing personalized attention.
Garcia de Pou’s packaging is designed to meet the needs of this new restaurant concept.
A step further in our collaboration with Areas
Our participation in this project strengthens the relationship we have maintained with Areas for the past three years as an official packaging partner. This alliance has allowed us to be present in the main travel dining spaces, providing packaging solutions that combine functionality, sustainability, and design.
