Rise of the machine

Efficient: A waitress passing two server robots at a restaurant in Cixi, east China’s Zhejiang. A newly opened restaurant in Cixi has introduced two server robots which can help deliver food, collect empty dishes as well as offer cuisine introductions. — Xinhua

IN a restaurant newly opened in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan province, four robots are busy waiting tables.

The robots, 1.3 metres tall and capable of lifting up to 3kg, can deliver dishes, collect empty plates and communicate with customers in simple sentences.