John Ha

John Ha is the Founder and CEO of Bear Robotics, Inc., a company he established in 2017 to develop AI-driven robots designed to assist in the food service industry. His motivation stemmed from his own experiences as a restaurant owner, where he recognized the challenges faced by restaurant staff, including high workloads and low wages. This insight led him to create solutions that automate tasks such as food delivery and bussing, thereby improving efficiency and enhancing customer service in restaurants.13

Before founding Bear Robotics, Ha had an extensive background in technology and academia. He served as a Technical Lead and Senior Software Engineer at Google, where he focused on improving Java Virtual Machine performance. Additionally, he was an Adjunct Professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and worked as a Research Scientist at Intel Corporation.24 Ha holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from The University of Texas at Austin, as well as a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from Seoul National University.12

Under his leadership, Bear Robotics has gained recognition for its innovative robots, such as "Servi," which are now deployed in various restaurants across the United States and internationally, including in markets like Japan and Korea.35 The company has attracted significant investment, including a recent strategic investment from LG Electronics aimed at enhancing its capabilities in service robotics.5