Robots Take the Platter in Shanghai’s Future‑Bite
Picture a tiny mechanical waiter, no larger than a microwave, cruising to your table with a steaming plate of Shanghai‑style crayfish. It plates it down, lifts its glass‑lid, and (in a voice that sounds like a distant robot humming) says, “Enjoy your meal.” That’s the newest scene at Robot.He, Alibaba’s high‑tech eatery that’s replacing human staff with wheeled automata.
Why Robots? Because Human Waiters Are Expensive
- In Shanghai, a waiter’s monthly salary tops 10,000 yuan (about S$2,000). Multiply that by two shifts, and you’re looking at hundreds of thousands in annual labor cost.
- Cao Haitao, the mastermind behind the idea, says the robots never need a break: “We don’t need two shifts for robots, they’re on duty every day.”
- Each robot is the size of a microwave, glides on purpose‑built table‑high runways, and can serve tables in what feels like a flash.
Robot.He Is Part Of a Bigger Appetite
It sits alongside Alibaba’s Hema chain—semi‑automated supermarkets where shoppers pick items on a mobile app, then watch their goods zip up on ceiling conveyors to their hand or home. There are already 57 Hema markets across 13 cities, and the plan is to spread these robotic diners everywhere.
Some Think It’s More Showbiz Than Reality
Tech gurus say the model is partly a showpiece: a flashy way to brag about Alibaba’s robotics chops. The reality? China’s labor costs are still overdue for a break, and automation can seriously trim operating expenses.
the Digital Age is Thriving on “No–Cash” and “No–Cashiers”
With mobile payments eclipsing cash in most transactions, pharmacies, bookstores, and random retail stores have gone cash‑free. Customers order and pay from phones, and a robot hands them what they’ve bought. Alibaba and its rival JD.com are not stopping there—JD.com plans 1,000 robotic restaurants by 2020, and drones are being eyed to deliver the same.
From Boom to Optimize
Jason Ding of Bain & Company notes, “Growth has plateaued; everyone is sharpening operations instead of just expanding.” This shift opens the door for automation to cut costs while giving better service.
Customers Love The Quasi‑Fantasy Experience
At Robot.He, folks order through an app, and the novelty of a robot serving your food ripples through long queues. Ma Yiwen, 33, brought a crew of office buddies. She says, “We’re foodies who love trying new places during lunch. A robot bringing us food feels thrilling—definitely worth the wait.”
For 20‑year‑old Ma Shenpeng, the robot’s cost cut is a real win: “Normally a table for two or three people costs 300‑400 yuan. Here it’s just over 100 yuan.” That difference is a game‑changer for casual diners.
The mechanical waiter may slash labor costs and add a splash of sci‑fi charm, but the bigger take‑away is clear: in a Chinese market where the trend toward automation is inevitable, robots aren’t just a gimmick—they’re the new staff that delivers a fresh feasting experience, one that satisfies both the pockets and the curiosity of Shenzhen’s savvy diners.
