Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Humanoid robot works as a waitress in a restaurant.
Fact
Viral video shows a Chinese restaurant owner serving her customers while performing robot-like dance moves.
Several social media users are sharing a video, claiming to show a humanoid robot working as a waitress in a restaurant. The archived version of the tweet can be seen here and here.
Fact Check
Newschecker first ran a keyword search for “Robot waitress restaurant,” which led us to this Youtube video, dated November 25, 2023, headlined, “Chinese Waitress who pretends to be a humanoid robot”.
“In this video, I explore the fascinating story of a robot-waitress in China, a 22-year-old Chinese waitress who pretends to be a robot while serving customers at a hotpot restaurant in Chongqing city. She moves in a jerky and robotic way, speaks in a monotone voice, and says things like ‘Hello, I am a robot. I will serve you today’. Some people are amazed by her performance and think she is a real robot, while others are sceptical and say she is just a human in disguise..,” read the description of the video.
Taking a cue from this, we ran a relevant keyword search, which led us to this Youtube video by the South China Morning Post, dated October 27, 2023, stating that the woman in the video is not a robot, but a real person, Qin, who is serving the customers in her hotpot restaurant in the Chongqing city of China.
“A street dance lover showcases her ‘robot-dancing’ skills when she serves the customers in her hotpot restaurant in Chongqing city,” read the description.
“…the woman is the owner of the hotpot restaurant and a professional dancer. She “dances” while pouring drinks and serving food in the video first posted by a friend,” read a Business Insider report, dated November 22, 2023, confirming that the viral video shows a Chinese restaurant owner’s unique way of serving her customers.
Also Read: Video Of NDRF Demonstration Shared As Footage Of Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Operation
Conclusion
Viral video showing a Chinese restaurant owner serving her customers while pulling off robot-like dance moves falsely claimed to be a humanoid robot working as a waitress.
Result: False
Source
Youtube video, STructon, November 25, 2023
Youtube video, South China Morning Post, October 27, 2023
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
