Employees had to restrain a dancing humanoid robot after it went wild at a California restaurant

In a surprising turn of events at a hot pot restaurant in Cupertino, California, a humanoid robot took a lively performance too far, leading to a minor uproar among diners. The incident occurred at Haidilao when the robot, which appears to be an AgiBot X2, began dancing energetically and inadvertently knocked over plates and utensils, prompting swift action from the restaurant staff. Footage shared on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu by user Meooow captures the moment when at least three employees rushed to intervene as the robot flailed its arms, creating a mess. One employee appeared to be attempting to control the situation by checking an app on her phone, possibly looking for a way to stop the robot. Although it’s believed that the robot might have a safety mechanism, the staff seemed unsure of how to activate it. The potential hazards of such a malfunction were not lost on onlookers. In a hot pot setting, where diners are surrounded by bubbling pots of soup, any errant movements from the robot could result in both culinary chaos and possible burns. Haidilao later addressed the incident in a statement to NBC News, clarifying that the robot was not malfunctioning but had been brought closer to the table at a guest's request, which deviated from its usual operating parameters. The restaurant emphasized that the limited space contributed to the robot's erratic movements during its performance. This incident raises questions about the integration of robotics in food service. While Haidilao has been experimenting with technology in their restaurants, such as robotic servers and automated broth mixers, this particular situation highlights the challenges that come with using humanoid robots for entertainment. Other companies, like Shin Starr and Pudu Robotics, are exploring different approaches, developing robots that focus on specific tasks in the food service industry, which may be safer than humanoid counterparts. As the debate continues about the role of robots in our daily lives, this episode serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of technology in settings where human interaction is key.