Two robot waitresses have become a draw for The Sicilian restaurant in Karachi, with visitors traveling across the city to see them, even as diners still need to collect food or ask staff for help.
The machines, Robia and Jojo, have helped increase business, staff member Hellen told AFP. She said some visitors had never seen a robot before and came from far away to see the pair.
Pakistani engineer Syed Osama Aziz built the robots for The Sicilian, AFP reported. He developed them with help from friends through Cobot, his robotics company. Most of their components were made in Pakistan. Aziz designed their circuit boards and programmed the machines in his lab, while some electronic parts came from abroad. The workshop where the robots were made is in Multan, in Punjab province.
Their role in the restaurant remains limited. When a robot reaches a table, customers must take food from its tray themselves or wait for an employee to assist, according to AFP. Customer Ahmer Zameer said the machines introduce themselves and explain what diners can order.
Young customer Sonia Dilosker said she liked the robots’ service because they are machines without emotions. Children also try to touch the robots while adults take pictures, AFP reported.
Aziz told AFP that equipment for building robots is difficult to obtain in Pakistan. He hopes to add cameras and image tools that would let the machines recognize returning customers, remember their earlier orders and offer suggestions. Those features are planned; the current robots still need help with food handoffs.
Robot servers are increasingly common in China and other East Asian countries, but remain unusual in Pakistan, AFP reported. At The Sicilian, the robots’ novelty has brought families through the door while leaving some parts of the meal service to human staff.
