Robot goes rogue at California Haidilao restaurant; staff restrain it as video goes viral

A humanoid robot malfunctioned spectacularly at a Haidilao hot pot restaurant in California, creating a scene of chaos that quickly went viral.

“The machine rebellion, at least for now, has not arrived with fire, nuclear missiles, or laser beams, but with a full restaurant, several dishes smashed to pieces, and a robot determined to keep dancing despite desperate attempts to stop it”

Diario AS

The incident occurred on March 18, 2026, at the Cupertino location of the Chinese restaurant chain, where a serving robot suddenly began moving erratically and uncontrollably during regular service hours.

Diario AS

The robot, which was programmed to dance and entertain customers, instead became a liability, knocking over plates, glasses, and sauce while staff struggled to contain the situation.

The event highlighted the growing integration of robotics into service industries and the potential safety risks when automated systems malfunction in public spaces.

The malfunctioning robot's behavior was both dramatic and potentially dangerous, as it violently struck a table and sent chopsticks, plates, and yellow sauce into the air.

According to eyewitness accounts, the robot initially began its programmed dance routine with arm movements and hip twists, but suddenly lost control and began moving erratically between tables.

East Bay Times

The robot's LED eyes continued to show a smiling face as it thrashed about, creating a scene that customers found both amusing and concerning.

The chaotic behavior could have been particularly hazardous in a hot pot restaurant environment, where very hot liquids and sharp objects are present, though no injuries were reported.

The robot involved in the incident appears to be an AGIBOT X2 or a similar Haidilao-branded model, a Chinese-designed humanoid robot commonly used in the restaurant chain's locations.

“The Haidilao chain's humanoid serving robot goes haywire and starts breaking dishes in front of customers”

La Dépêche

These robots are typically programmed for customer interaction tasks including high-fives, making heart gestures, and performing dance routines to entertain guests.

The AGIBOT X2 model was showcased at the CES conference in January 2026, demonstrating the restaurant chain's commitment to robotic innovation.

However, the malfunction exposed potential design flaws, particularly the lack of a visible red off button that could allow for immediate manual intervention in emergencies.

Restaurant staff responded quickly to contain the rogue robot, with at least three employees working together to restrain the malfunctioning automaton.

The video footage shows staff members grappling to grab the robot by the neck while one employee urgently searched for controls on their mobile phone.

TechCrunch

The waiters acted in coordinated fashion - one held the robot firmly, another checked the remote-control app, and a third helped move it away from customers.

Despite their efforts, the robot persisted in its dancing movements until it finally stopped with a final dab motion, leaving behind a trail of broken dishes and spilled sauce.

The incident quickly gained widespread attention across social media platforms, with the video footage going viral and capturing the attention of major news outlets.

“- A robot intended to greet customers at a Cupertino, California restaurant suddenly became uncontrollable”

TF1 INFO

The footage was first posted on the Chinese social network Xiaohongshu by user Meooow before being picked up by American media including ABC News, which shared the dramatic scene on Twitter.

TF1 INFO

Customers present at the restaurant filmed the unusual occurrence, creating multiple angles of the incident that spread rapidly online.

The combination of the robot's programmed smiling face, chaotic dancing, and the staff's desperate attempts to contain it created perfect viral content that highlighted both the entertainment potential and safety concerns of restaurant robotics.

While Haidilao staff confirmed the mechanical contretemps to NBC News, the company's corporate offices have not issued an official statement clarifying the incident.

As China's largest hot-pot chain, Haidilao operates dozens of restaurants from Indonesia to Canada, including two in the Bay Area (Cupertino and Fremont).

The company denied that the robot was 'malfunctioning or out of control,' suggesting the incident may have been part of normal operation that was misinterpreted.

However, the event has sparked discussions about safety protocols for service robots, particularly in environments with human customers and potentially hazardous materials like hot soup.