It is not unknown that China, the land where Mandarin originated, is now the world's fastest developing country, striding into an opulent future. Its technological prowess that has even surpassed the US and its monumental space program are some of the fruits of its economic boom. Do not be surprised if China succeeds in creating a futuristic world full of robots, which can only be imagined in science fictions. Remember the Richie Rich comics, where we had Irona, who ran errands for humans? The idea sounds far-fetched and outlandish but the same idea has been applied to one of the restaurants in China, where robot waitresses serve food. Baloney? Hardly!
The Dalu Robot Restaurant in north China's Shandong province has been making headlines from the day it came into existence. The staff of this restaurant compacts six waitresses, all of which are robots. These robots have been manufactured by the Shandong Dalu Science and Technology Company and programmed to serve up to 100 diners along a fixed trajectory. To ensure uninterrupted service, twenty one tables are arranged in circles and diners are served in rotation. If you participate in our study abroad programs and ever, happen to visit this restaurant, the staff will inform you about the robots serving and what one can expect out of their service. Now this is a win-win situation for both the customers and the staff. The "staff" does not need tips and the customers do not complain. This probably is one of the best examples of technology and humanity, going hand-in-hand.
The Chinese robotic research began in 1980s, when the country was not technologically advanced. The scientists started with the legs of the robots and eventually went on to develop its nervous system, hands and visual aids. The first humanoid robot of China finally got ready in the year 2000. Since then, China never looked back, when it came to the development of robots and the robot culture became so popular among the common mass that the country hosted robots in Harbin, China, in the year 2010. Robots from across the country participated in the competition. They walked, they danced and they ran, winning the hearts of thousands. The Japanese robots can now make sushi and China is not lagging behind either as is evident from the Robot Restaurant.
Chinese robots will soon be carrying out a lot of chores that we usually do not fancy doing such as washing dishes and vacuuming and hoovering the house. In today's world, the robot maids are no more a figment of imagination. The day is not far when each household will have a robot-maid, catering to all our needs and performing all our tedious household chores with equal dexterity and diligence.