Photo by Paul Yeung/Reuters

At Robot Kitchen, in Hong Kong, robots greet, seat, and feed patrons. Robot No. 1, which bears more than a passing resemblance to Rosie the robot maid from “The Jetsons,” has a touch-screen interface to take customers’ orders. Robot No. 2 uses its built-in tray to deliver orders. At least, that’s the plan. As of early November, Robot No. 2 was limited to delivering desserts and other small dishes, and even Robot No. 1 needed a human supervisor to double-check the work.

The robots were designed and built by Hong Kong–based Cyber Robotics Technology and cost about US $5000 apiece. Their sensors, including audio and video devices, enable them to get around the restaurant without colliding with customers and to respond to simple commands, if spoken in Cantonese. They come fully assembled (yes, batteries are included), and they will run for 2 to 10 hours after a 5‑hour charge. And they don’t steal any food when the boss isn’t around.