A new three-armed robot capable of handling and slicing slippery fish has been developed by a team from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway.
Dubbed the Sashimi-Bot, the robotic system features three arms, each of which is dedicated to a particular task. Specifically, one arm is capable of straightening the fish by gently pushing it into place, while a second arm holds a knife and slices the fish and a third arm picks up the fish slices using chopsticks and places them on a tray.
Source: npj Robotics (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44182-026-00098-9
To develop the robot, the team used artificial intelligence (AI) that learns through experience rather than relying on preprogrammed instructions. The Sashimi-Bot practiced straightening fish thousands of times in a virtual simulation, thus improving through trial and error. Machine learning also enabled the cutting arm of the Sashimi-Bot to interpret data from a touch-sensitive sensor located near the knife, while a separate AI model detected contact between the blade and cutting board, thereby allowing real-time adjustments to maintain precise cuts and prevent damage to the surface.
During trials conducted on real salmon loins, the Sashimi-Bot proved slower than a human chef, but it successfully straightened, held and sliced the slippery fish before it neatly placed the pieces on a plate.
"This work represents a milestone in robotic manipulation of deformable, volumetric objects that may inspire and enable a wide range of other real-world applications," the team explained. "Autonomously preparing sashimi is an interesting microcosm of several open problems within robotics."
Beyond handling delicate foods, the Sashimi-Bot could lead to the development of robotic systems capable of managing tasks like sorting soft items in recycling facilities or helping with medical procedures that involve soft tissues.
An article detailing the technology, “Sashimi-Bot: autonomous tri-manual advanced manipulation and cutting of deformable objects,” appears in the journal npj Robotics.
