In a notable step towards automation in dining, a McDonald’s outlet in Shanghai, China, has begun using humanoid robots to serve meals and entertain customers.
These lifelike machines are performing tasks usually handled by human staff, including greeting customers and delivering food. The trial is being conducted in partnership with Chinese company Keenon Robotics, which supplied the advanced robots for this initiative.
Videos shared on social media show the robots dressed in McDonald’s signature red-and-yellow uniforms, actively interacting with diners inside the outlet. In several clips, children can be seen chasing the moving machines, some of which are designed to look like cute animals.
Keenon Robotics also posted footage of the robots engaging with customers, stating, “Our Humanoid series are leading the squad and hitting the streets.”
Highlighting the broader vision behind the project, the company stressed the role of technology in improving dining experiences worldwide. It said, “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.”
McDonald’s has not yet shared details about the trial or confirmed whether it is part of a larger strategy.
The development comes at a time when concerns are rising over artificial intelligence and robots replacing human jobs in major companies. In July, a report by a global publication noted that Amazon is expected to soon have more robots than humans in its warehouses.
More than 1 million machines are already operating in these facilities, handling tasks such as heavy lifting, sorting, and packaging orders.
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