Staff forced to restrain dancing robot in 'celebration mode' at hotpot chain

A robotic entertainer at a California hotpot restaurant has gained international attention after refusing to conclude its choreographed routine, leading to a frantic intervention by staff.

The incident, captured at a Haidilao outlet in Silicon Valley, showed the machine performing to the Chinese pop hit "Love You" before defying its programmed limits.

Despite attempts by employees to restrain the unit, the robot continued its spirited movements, its digital face displaying a cheerful smile above an apron that read: "I’M GOOD."

A Haidilao representative explained to Business Insider that the machine was operating in a "built-in, pre-programmed feature" designed to "enhance the dining atmosphere."

The spokesperson noted that its primary roles include "'celebration modes' where it performs coordinated movements to music for birthdays and other special events."

Currently, this is the only American location to feature the model, chosen because it is "located in the heart of Silicon Valley, a perfect site to pilot this technology to align with the area's innovative spirit."

The Haidilao incident follows several high-profile technical failures within the industry, including the "Iron" robot which fell face-first during its Chinese debut earlier this year.

This mishap was dismissed by the CEO as part of the machine "learning to walk." Additionally, testing accidents in January saw a Unitree model inadvertently strike an engineer, while other humanoids tripped during a Beijing half-marathon in April.

These events highlight the unpredictable nature of autonomous technology as restaurants increasingly look to robots to provide both utility and entertainment.