It really was just a matter of time. The robots are coming. The humanoids are coming. The singularity is going to happen. Some believe it has already happened. One area where all of this is in fast motion is Asia. China, South Korea, and Japan are right at the forefront of all of this. So it should be no surprise that we have a story coming out of Shanghai, China, about humanoids.
Google AI defines a humanoid as a non-human entity, robot, or creature that possesses a human-like form, appearance, or behavior, typically featuring a head, torso, and two arms/legs.
But Josh (from SFL.media), get to it, where are the humaoids? Ba Da Ba Ba Ba….a McDonald’s in Shanghai (China) has brought in humanoid robots to serve up meals and entertain customers. They say only for a limited time, though. We shall see.
The company supplying the robots is Keenon Robotics out of China. They are very proud of their robots (and humanoids) that they have just posted on social media. The video posted was done more like a promotional video that takes place in the Shanghai McDonald’s.
In the video, the robots are performing routine tasks typically completed by human workers, such as greeting customers and delivering food. Diners are seen interacting with the robots dressed in McDonald’s uniforms behind counters, while children interacted with other robots on the restaurant floor.
McDonald’s said the robots will only be around for five days (from March 14 to 19) and were meant to plug the grand opening of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum restaurant.
Oddly enough, the robots were not involved in any service or operational functions. Which to me defeats the point. So, maybe for now, they will greet and wave and be there for photos. But down the road, and very soon, they will be multi-tasking and taking all the jobs from humans. And if you have ever been to McDonald’s and dealt with their employees, a humanoid might be much better.
