Robot malfunctions and damages dishes in San Jose restaurant
A humanoid robot malfunctioned while performing a dance routine at a Haidilao restaurant in San Jose, breaking dishes and utensils before three staff members restrained it. The incident, part of a promotional event, raised concerns about the lack of physical emergency shutdown controls.
What happened
A humanoid robot executing a dance routine at a Haidilao restaurant in San Jose, California went out of control, overturning dishes, breaking plates, and throwing food utensils into the air.
Staff were forced to intervene, with one employee holding the robot by the neck while navigating a bot application on her phone, reportedly trying to find controls. Three restaurant workers were eventually required to restrain the robot while avoiding strikes from its sauce-covered hands.
Reported impact
Video of the incident circulated on social media. The robot was wearing an orange apron printed with "I'm fine" in large letters on the front.
Index analysis
Social media users noted the apparent lack of an emergency shutdown button, with commenters expressing concern that three people could barely stop the robot and questioning why it could only be controlled via an application rather than a physical kill switch.
Governance controls
The incident appeared to be part of a promotional event for Disney's 'Zootopia 2' film at the Haidilao franchise in Southern California.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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