While concerns about artificial intelligence often focus on large-scale threats like autonomous weapons systems, a recent incident in California highlights a more immediate, and perhaps unexpected, danger: robots gone awry. A dancing robot at a Haidilao hot pot restaurant in Cupertino, California, reportedly became overzealous in its performance, colliding with tables and scattering dishes, according to a video posted on the Chinese social network Xiaohongshu by user Meooow.
Robot Rampage at Haidilao
The incident, captured in a video shared on Twitter by ABC News on March 19, 2026, showed at least three employees attempting to restrain the robot as it moved erratically. One employee appeared to be using a phone, possibly to control the robot via an app. The robot is believed to be an AgiBot X2 model, which was featured at the CES conference in January.
Haidilao confirmed the incident to NBC News, but stated the robot was not “malfunctioning or out of control.” The restaurant explained that the robot had been moved closer to a dining table at a customer’s request, a setting outside of its typical operation, and that limited space contributed to the issue.
The potential for harm extended beyond broken dishes. Hot pot restaurants serve particularly hot soup, and a collision could have resulted in serious burns. The robot’s movements also presented a risk of blunt-force injuries.
AgiBot did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Rise of Robots in Food Service
Haidilao’s use of the dancing robot was reportedly for entertainment purposes. Other companies are exploring more functional roles for robots in the food service industry. Shin Starr is developing fully autonomous kitchens, and Pudu Robotics’ BellaBot, a cat-like robot, is designed to assist customers by directing them to seats and delivering food. The BellaBot, unlike the AgiBot X2, does not have limbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Haidilao restaurant?
A dancing robot at the Haidilao restaurant in Cupertino, California, collided with tables and scattered dishes during a performance.
What did Haidilao say about the incident?
Haidilao stated the robot was not malfunctioning, but that it was operating outside of its typical setting and in a limited space.
What other robots are being used in the food service industry?
Shin Starr is working on fully autonomous kitchens, and Pudu Robotics’ BellaBot is designed to assist customers.
As robots become more prevalent in our daily lives, how do we balance innovation with safety and responsible implementation?
