A dancing robot at the Haidilao hot pot restaurant in Cupertino, California, unexpectedly caused a commotion by smashing dishes and sending chopsticks flying during a performance, as captured in a video on March 19, 2026 [1]. The robot approached a table, pounded on it, and knocked over utensils and food, prompting three servers to restrain it by a strap on its neck while it continued to move erratically [1].
Haidilao, the restaurant chain, clarified in a statement to NBC News that the robot was not malfunctioning or out of control. According to the company, the robot's movements are preprogrammed and the incident occurred because it was brought closer to a dining table at a guest's request, which is not its typical operating setting. The limited space affected its movement during the performance [1].
Haidilao has a history of integrating artificial intelligence and robotics into its restaurants globally, including robot servers and automatic broth-mixing machines at its smart restaurant in Beijing [1]. The robot involved in the incident is part of the restaurant's in-store service and entertainment setup, programmed to perform for customers [1].
NBC News chief tech analyst Joanna Stern commented that the robot should have a kill switch, but servers appeared unfamiliar with its operation. Stern added, "I wouldn’t worry too much about this robot sort of going rogue and leaving the restaurant and doing anything. I think it’s just much more of a physical fear here" [1].
CONCLUSION
The incident at Haidilao's Cupertino location highlights the challenges of deploying robotics in close quarters, but the company maintains the robot was not malfunctioning. Market impact is low, as the event appears isolated and does not reflect broader operational or technological failures. The restaurant's ongoing embrace of robotics remains unchanged, with no forward-looking concerns raised by analysts.