來自美國矽谷的智慧餐飲品牌Yo-Kai Express（妖怪快線），近年以其創新的AI自動拉麵機在國際間迅速走紅，不僅被馬斯克稱讚，甚至在短短五分鐘內就吸引日本軟銀創辦人孫正義的投資目光，成為食品科技領域中的矚目新星。

優豈股份公司(Yo-Kai Express)創立於2016年，總部位於加州Hayward，由台灣創辦人林志鴻（Andy Lin）主導。他原本是半導體工程師，因為某次加班後深夜找不到熱食靈感而創業，致力於結合高科技與餐飲體驗，打造「無人餐廳」的嶄新形態。核心產品是可在60秒內製作出一碗熱騰騰拉麵 的自動販賣機。該機台內建上百個感測器，使用冷凍高品質食材並透過AI邊緣運算即時控制壓力、溫度、濕度，確保每碗出餐品質穩定。這不僅提升效率，更降低人力與空間成本，適合部署在機場、商辦大樓、飯店與車站等高流量區域。

除拉麵機外，還拓展出第二項核心產品——AI智慧奶茶機。可以自動煮珍珠、沖泡鮮奶茶，是全球首款能即時製作熱珍奶的自助設備，目前已獲得超過500台的訂單，成為該公司營收成長的新引擎。截至2025年中，Yo-Kai Express已在全球8個國家或地區佈點超過260台自動拉麵機，遍及美國、日本、台灣、新加坡、英國、法國、荷蘭與泰國等地。並與各地指標性品牌展開合作，其中包括日本拉麵名店博多一風堂（Ippudo）與JT冷凍食品品牌TableMark，聯手推出道地拉麵與烏龍麵選項上架機台，甚至與米其林推薦餐廳如「中中」、「麵屋次郎」推出聯名料理。

在日本市場方面，Yo-Kai已與SoftBank Robotics（軟銀機器人事業部）建立合作關係，授權其作為日本地區總經銷，並以新品牌名稱Cheffy推進當地市場。這不僅讓Yo-Kai的機台進入更多超商、飯店及企業據點，也讓品牌在日本的接受度迅速提升。儘管官方未公開馬斯克實際發言，但根據多方報導，Yo-Kai的技術創新與市場潛力早已吸引矽谷與日本投資圈的關注，孫正義相關資金亦快速注入，成為其發展的重要後盾。根據 Yo-Kai 自身公告，公司計畫於2025年底在納斯達克（Nasdaq）正式IPO上市，未來幾年將推進全球特許經營與新產品線布局，擴大智慧餐飲版圖。

從市場評價來看，Yo-Kai Express被認為是自動販售設備與食品科技領域的創新代表，具備 高技術門檻、低營運成本、易於複製擴張的特性。尤其在疫情後期與自助服務需求激增的背景下，無人熱食解決方案顯得格外具有吸引力。許多投資者將其視為下一個「無人便利商店」的可能範例。不過也有分析指出，Yo-Kai未來需面對的挑戰包括：機器清潔與衛生監控、產品口味在地化調整、以及冷鏈供應與維修系統的穩定性。隨著產品進一步普及，品牌能否持續保持「便利又高品質」的形象，將是其成功關鍵。

總體而言，Yo-Kai Express是成功融合人工智慧、機器人技術與冷鏈物流的創新企業，透過科技顛覆傳統餐飲模式。若順利上市並持續擴張，未來有機會在智慧餐飲市場中占據領導地位。

Originating from Silicon Valley in the United States, Yo-Kai Express, an innovative smart dining brand, has quickly gained international recognition in recent years for its AI-powered automatic ramen machines. Not only has the technology been praised by Elon Musk, but it also caught the attention of SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, who reportedly decided to invest in the company within just five minutes, making Yo-Kai Express a rising star in the food technology sector.

Yo-Kai Express Inc. was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Hayward, California. The company was established by Taiwanese founder Andy Lin, a former semiconductor engineer who was inspired to launch the business after one late night at work when he couldn’t find a hot meal. Driven by this personal experience, he set out to combine high technology with dining, aiming to create a new model of “unmanned restaurants.”

The company’s flagship product is a vending machine capable of preparing a hot bowl of ramen in just 60 seconds. Each machine is equipped with over a hundred sensors and uses high-quality frozen ingredients. Through AI edge computing, it precisely controls pressure, temperature, and humidity in real time, ensuring consistent food quality. This system not only improves efficiency but also reduces labor and space costs, making it ideal for deployment in high-traffic areas such as airports, office buildings, hotels, and train stations.

In addition to ramen machines, Yo-Kai has also developed a second core product: the AI smart bubble tea machine. It is the first self-serve device in the world capable of cooking tapioca pearls and preparing fresh milk tea on demand. With over 500 orders already placed, this new product has become a major growth engine for the company’s revenue.

As of mid-2025, Yo-Kai Express has deployed more than 260 ramen vending machines across eight countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Thailand. The company has partnered with well-known brands around the world, such as Ippudo, the renowned Japanese ramen chain, and TableMark, a frozen food brand under JT (Japan Tobacco). Together, they have launched authentic ramen and udon offerings for the machines. Yo-Kai has also collaborated with Michelin-recommended restaurants, including Bigiyi and Menya Jiro, to create exclusive co-branded dishes.

In the Japanese market, Yo-Kai has formed a strategic partnership with SoftBank Robotics, granting it exclusive distribution rights in Japan. Under a localized brand name Cheffy, SoftBank is driving Yo-Kai’s expansion across the country. This has enabled the machines to enter more convenience stores, hotels, and corporate facilities, significantly boosting the brand’s presence and acceptance in Japan.

Although Elon Musk’s specific statements have not been officially published, multiple media outlets have reported that Yo-Kai’s technological innovation and market potential have drawn strong attention from investors in both Silicon Valley and Japan. Masayoshi Son’s associated funds moved quickly to invest, becoming an important backing for the company’s growth. According to Yo-Kai’s public announcements, the company is planning an IPO on the Nasdaq by the end of 2025, and aims to expand globally through franchising and new product lines in the years ahead.

From a market perspective, Yo-Kai Express is seen as a leading innovator in the fields of automated food vending and food tech. It is praised for its high technological sophistication, low operating costs, and scalability, making it highly attractive, especially in the post-pandemic era where demand for contactless and self-serve dining solutions has surged. Some investors even see Yo-Kai as a potential model for the “unmanned convenience store” of the future.

That said, analysts have pointed out several challenges Yo-Kai will need to address moving forward. These include ensuring machine cleanliness and hygiene monitoring, adapting product flavors to local tastes, and maintaining the reliability of cold chain logistics and machine servicing. As the machines become more widespread, whether the brand can continue to deliver both convenience and high quality will be key to its long-term success.

In summary, Yo-Kai Express is a groundbreaking company that successfully integrates artificial intelligence, robotics, and cold chain logistics, using technology to disrupt traditional food service models. If it successfully goes public and sustains its growth trajectory, it has the potential to become a dominant player in the global smart dining industry.