Technology and Science19 March, 20263 min read
Robot goes rogue at California Haidilao restaurant; staff restrain it as video goes viral
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A Haidilao Cupertino humanoid robot briefly went haywire during service. It knocked over plates, glasses, and sauce while dancing.
Restaurant Robot Incident
A humanoid robot malfunctioned spectacularly at a Haidilao hot pot restaurant in California, creating a scene of chaos that quickly went viral. 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.
“A dancing humanoid robot got a little too funky during a performance in Cupertino, California and had to be restrained by staff after knocking items off a table.”
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.
Chaotic Robot Behavior
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.
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.
Robot Model and Design
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. These robots are typically programmed for customer interaction tasks including high-fives, making heart gestures, and performing dance routines to entertain guests.
“From the images, it appears to be an AGIBOT X2 or a Haidilao model similar, a Chinese chain famous for robot chefs and waiters. Programmed for high-fives, hearts, and dances, but clearly failed in safety, as it lacks a visible red off button, a situation that has generated criticism online.”
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.
Staff Response
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.
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.
Social Media Impact
The incident quickly gained widespread attention across social media platforms, with the video footage going viral and capturing the attention of major news outlets. 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.
“A dancing robot at the hot pot restaurant Haidilao in Cupertino, California, boogied a little too hard, got too close to a table, and started smashing plates and sending dishware and chopsticks everywhere, prompting the restaurant's staff to intervene, according to a video posted on the Chinese social network Xiaohongshu by user Meooow.”
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.
Corporate Response
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.