The Robot Restaurant in China’s Heilongjiang Province is a conventional restaurant in every sense, save the glaring exception that the food is prepared and served entirely by an army of 20 robots with just a modicum of human oversight.
The BBC just took a tour to see what it’s like. Cabinets are pre-loaded with the necessary raw ingredients, then a human presses the button that corresponds to the dish being prepared, and one of the four chef robots handle the rest. When the preparation is complete, one of the server-bots will take the food to the table. While the patrons eat their robo-fare, a singing robot provides entertainment.
Restaurant owner Liu Hasheng came up with the idea to use robots as a means of cutting down on cost, but don’t be fooled into thinking these are cheap devices. While they are certainly more affordable than human labor in the longer term, we learn via Amusing Planet that each of these robots costs between $31,500 and $47,000 up front.
Check out the BBC report below to see them in action.
New Human Restaurant opens opposite Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku
Robot ramen waiter now serving customers in Tokyo’s Akihabara【Video】
One of Japan’s dullest-looking restaurants actually has an awesome robot waiter【Videos】
Rice robot serves free refills at Japanese set meal restaurant
Fully automated Chinese restaurant is the eatery of the future, threatens world’s restaurant jobs
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
This Hakata hotel is worth a little extra thanks to its all-you-can-eat steak breakfast buffet
We make a Russian Kentucky Fried Chicken sushi ginger sandwich
Experience the “Color of Water” from a 250-year-old Japanese confection maker!
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan’s 10 best Ferris wheels for beautiful views, as chosen by travelers【Survey】
Majority of Japanese men say they feel some discomfort seeing female janitors in men’s restrooms
Cup Noodle releases new Tomica “car” collection
Japanese spoon puts electrical field in your mouth to trick you into tasting salt, now on sale
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Quality-spaghetti making robot starts working in Tokyo at the end of the month【Video】
Robot noodle chef starts working in Tokyo train station, serves up taste of the future【Video】
Japanese fast food chain’s new robot worker helps people sick and stuck at home continue to earn
Robot-operated soba stand in Tokyo is too busy for its machine chef to keep up with
Leave a Reply