McDonald's has conducted a trial of humanoid robots at one of its restaurants in Shanghai, China. The robots, developed by the Chinese company Keenon Robotics, were deployed to greet customers and deliver food to tables. Human staff continued to handle order-taking, food preparation, and other core kitchen tasks during the pilot.
The trial, which garnered significant attention on Chinese social media, is part of a broader exploration of automation in the service industry. Keenon Robotics is known for its commercial service robots used in various hospitality settings. The test highlights the fast-food giant's ongoing experiments with technology to enhance restaurant operations and customer experience.
Industry analysts note that such tests are increasingly common in markets like China, where labor costs are rising and technological adoption is rapid. However, McDonald's has not announced any plans for a wider rollout of humanoid robots in its global operations. The company continues to evaluate the efficiency and customer reception of such automation solutions.
