McDonald's deploys humanoid robot workers in China

A McDonald's branch in Shanghai, China, has struck fear into the hearts of those fearing a robot uprising, using humanoid robots to help serve meals and entertain customers.

Video of the opening of the branch, located at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, showed the robots greeting customers, dancing, taking orders behind the counters, delivering food, collecting used trays, and even dressing in the iconic red and yellow uniforms.

Customers were enamoured by the bots, interacting with them as they ordered their meals, while children chased robots disguised as cute animals outside.

Watch the video above

Digitaltrends reports that the robots were supplied by Chinese firm Keenon Robotics, who in turn posted about the spectacle.

"Our Humanoid series are leading the squad and hitting the streets," Keenon Robotics shared on social media, alongside a clip of their creations at work.

"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."

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The robots were only around for five days, from March 14 to 19, to promote the grand opening of the branch, given its technology-themed location.

Jon Banner, the executive vice president and global chief impact officer of McDonald's, assured people on social media, "The robots were not involved in any service or operational functions. And if you didn't visit prior to today, you missed them."

We have seen similar scenes on home shores, though they have not been as successful.

Nine months ago, Woolworths quietly discontinued a trial of safety robots it first deployed to stores six years ago.

The supermarket giant confirmed to 9honey that the trial has come to an end, with the robots retired due to ''not being the right fit".

The robots were first deployed to select Woolworths stores in 2019.

They were trialled at fewer than 10 of the more than 1000 stores across NSW, ACT, Victoria and Queensland.

"We began trialling safety robots in 2019 across select Woolworths stores to find potential safety hazards for our team members to respond to," a Woolworths spokesman told 9honey, in response to our inquiry this week.

"The trial came to an end last year due to the project not being the right fit.

"We thank our customers and team members for their support and feedback throughout the trial."

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