Humanoid robots have begun invading the fast-food industry.
Videos by Wide Open Country
A McDonald's in the Chinese metroplex Shanghai dispensed robot employees to greet diners and deliver orders. Designed by the Chinese firm Keenon Robotics, the humanoid robots were a part of a trial at the McDonald's location, according to Digital Trends.
During the five-day trial, some robot employees greeted and entertained diners. Others collected trays, delivered food, and mopped the floor.
"Our Humanoid series is leading the squad and hitting the streets," Keenon Robotics
posted on social media alongside a clip of the robots interacting with diners."It's a showcase of how service automation is becoming a seamless part of global dining, and how technology brings more smiles to every mealtime," the company added.
McDonald's Continues Push Toward Robotic Operations
McDonald's is leading the charge for robotic inclusion in the fast-food landscape.
The collaboration project with Keenon Robotics is the latest step toward fully robotic operations for the fast-food giant.
McDonald's launched its first-ever fully automated restaurant in Texas in 2022.
With the help of advanced robotics, customers could order and pick up meals without any human contact.
A video of the test site shows that a robotic arm at the drive-thru window serves customers' orders, and an automated screen inside the building enables customers to place orders without the need for human interaction.
The fast-food giant took its robot inclusion to another level in Shanghai.
Unlike the humanoid robots at the Texas location, those at the other location included entertainment functionality.
Instead of simply serving orders and cleaning duties, the robots were able to greet diners.
Videos shared on social media illustrate humanoid robots waving at and communicating with customers in Shanghai.
There are also smaller, interactive robots designed to entertain children.
McDonald's said the robots were used for less than a week — from March 14 to 19 — to promote the grand opening of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum restaurant.
A future where McDonald's is completely robot-operated is likely still years away, as the technology is not yet up to par.
However, a hybrid workplace with humans handling the cooking duties and robots fulfilling the customer-facing roles could become more commonplace.
