Nov 7 (Reuters) - Serve Robotics ( SERV ), known for its sidewalk

delivery robots, is branching out from its mainstay focus on automated delivery

solutions and into restaurant kitchens through its acquisition of the 'Autocado'

technology seen at Chipotle stores.

Serve said on Thursday it would acquire Vebu, the company behind the avocado

processing robot Autocado, which automates the cutting, coring and scooping of

avocados. Burrito chain Chipotle has been testing the robot for several quarters

and recently deployed the technology in locations in California.

The move will allow Serve to start working within restaurants and expand its

scope in the restaurant sector - which it currently only serves through its

sidewalk robots that deliver food for Uber Eats.

The company also plans to sign on more partners as it builds on the Autocado

technology.

"We will definitely be looking to partner with more customers (restaurants)

in the future," Serve CEO Ali Kashani said in an interview, adding that the

company was targeting becoming a "one-stop shop" for restaurant automation tech.

Serve will also more than double the number of restaurants it serves to 750

locations by the end of this year, Kashani said, with its new-generation

delivery robot helping the company scale faster than expectations.

Serve did not disclose any financial details related to the Vebu deal.