A chaotic scene at a California restaurant is going viral after staff were forced to wrestle with a malfunctioning robot that appeared to go completely out of control.
As robots become more common in everyday businesses, a San Jose location of the Chinese chain Haidilao showed just how unpredictable the technology can still be. On March 17, footage captured a service robot dancing nonstop, knocking over and smashing tableware as it moved erratically through the restaurant.
To prevent further damage, staff stepped in, turning the situation into a chaotic struggle between humans and machine. One employee tried to pull the robot away alone but couldn’t control it, forcing two more coworkers to join in while another attempted to shut it down using a phone.
Haidilao uses robots to assist with serving and food delivery, part of a broader push toward automated dining experiences backed by investment in robotic kitchens and systems.
Eventually, three employees managed to disable the robot before it caused more damage. While no serious harm was reported, the incident highlights the growing pains of integrating autonomous machines into real-world environments.
The moment comes amid rapid advancements in robotics, with companies continuing to push boundaries — sometimes with unpredictable results.