Pakistan-built robots surprise Karachi diners as robotic waitresses serve food
The locally developed machines are giving restaurant visitors a glimpse of future technology.
Pakistan-built robots bring a new dining experience
Robia and Jojo, two robot waitresses, are becoming a popular attraction at The Sicilian restaurant in Karachi. They move between dining tables, deliver food and welcome customers with electronic voices.
“Welcome to Sicilian. My name is Robia,” one of the robots says while looking at customers through its blinking red LED eyes. Their appearance includes round white heads, dark face covers and black shawls styled like traditional dupatta.
The robots were developed by Pakistani engineer Syed Osama Aziz, who also owns the restaurant. He designed their circuit boards and programmed them in his own workshop.
Local engineer develops robots in Pakistan
Aziz built the robots through his robotics company, Cobot, with support from friends. Most of their parts were manufactured locally, although some electronic components had to be imported.
“The equipment, the things needed to make robots, are not so easily available here, so we had to arrange them,” he told AFP. His workshop, where the robots are made, is based in Multan.
Robotic workers are already becoming common in some countries, especially China and other parts of East Asia. They are used in restaurants to deliver food and also perform tasks such as cleaning and greeting hotel guests.
However, such machines are still a rare sight in Pakistan. Robia and Jojo are attracting attention because they show how local engineers are developing new technology despite limited access to equipment.
Customers excited to meet robot waitresses
Families are visiting The Sicilian to see the robots in action. Children enjoy touching the machines, while parents take photographs and selfies with them.
Customers must take food from the robots’ serving trays themselves or ask a human staff member for help. Despite this limitation, the machines have become a talking point among restaurant visitors.
“The best thing about it is that it introduces itself,” customer Ahmer Zameer told AFP. He also said the robot “tells you what things you can order”.
Another young customer, Sonia Dilosker, said she liked the robots’ appearance and preferred their way of serving customers, “because it is a machine and without any emotions”. The machines have made the dining experience unusual for people visiting the restaurant.
Restaurant staff say the robots have also helped increase business. Some customers are travelling from different parts of Karachi just to see the machines.
“Our business has grown. People are coming from far away for this. They have seen a robot for the first time here,” staff member Hellen told AFP. “People are excited to see this.”
What is planned for the future?
Aziz wants to make Robia and Jojo smarter and more useful in the coming years. He plans to add cameras and image-processing technology to help them recognise customers.
“Our plans are to add camera-based processing and image-processing features,” he said. He explained that the robots could then recognise visitors and remember their previous orders.
“That means the robot will also recognise you by looking at you, and it will remember what you ordered last time, and accordingly it will be able to give you better suggestions.” Such features could allow the robots to offer a more personal service to restaurant customers.
Robia and Jojo show that Pakistani engineers can also develop creative technology using local skills and resources. Their success at the restaurant may encourage more investment in robotics and give local developers a chance to build even smarter machines.
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