Gorakhpur 'Robo Didi' restaurant goes viral

Navbharat Times reported on May 16 that a restaurant near Ramgarh Tal in Gorakhpur has begun serving customers with a robot waiter named “Robo Didi,” drawing crowds, selfies and local social-media attention. The venue, identified by Navbharat Times as Sobo restaurant and by Dainik Jagran as Sao restaurant, is in the Ramgarh Tal area, a busy leisure zone that attracts local diners and visitors. Both reports said customers have been coming in specifically to see the machine deliver food to tables. Tarun Bharat separately reported heavy discussion online around the restaurant and the robot server. ### Which restaurant is involved, and what exactly is the robot doing? Sobo restaurant in the Ramgarh Tal area is using “Robo Didi” to carry food to diners’ tables, according to Navbharat Times. The report said the robot works like a service attendant, moving table to table and interacting with customers while delivering dishes. (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com) Dainik Jagran reported that the restaurant has about 12 tables and that the robot uses a two-tier tray to transport orders from near the kitchen to the assigned table. Customers still have to lift the food from the tray themselves, the report said. ### Is the robot autonomous, or is someone operating it? (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com) Restaurant manager Sukanya told Navbharat Times that “Robo Didi” is controlled with a remote and a device. She said staff direct the robot forward, left or right through manual inputs, and the machine then reaches the table to serve customers. (jagran.com) Dainik Jagran reported that the robot is not yet fully autonomous and is currently operated by an employee using a tablet. Restaurant owner Nikhil told Navbharat Times that the machine is being used at about 20% of its capacity and can be handled in both active and automatic modes. (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com) ### Where did “Robo Didi” come from? Nikhil told Navbharat Times that the idea came after seeing a modern restaurant in Chandigarh. He said the restaurant sourced the robot from a company in Hyderabad after deciding that importing similar machines from China would be too costly and technically difficult. (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com) Tarun Bharat carried the same account, saying the owner traced an Indian supplier in Hyderabad and ordered the robot from there. The report also said the owner named the machine “Robo Didi.” ### Why are customers stopping for selfies? Navbharat Times reported that children and women were taking selfies with the robot and that customers were asking about it as part of the dining experience. (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com) The report said “Robo Didi” also asks customers about their needs while serving them. (tarunbharat.com) Dainik Jagran reported that the robot greets diners with phrases such as “Good morning” and “Good evening,” and also gives birthday and wedding-anniversary wishes. Bhaskar English described the same greeting function, saying the robot welcomes guests and speaks to them while serving food. ### Has the restaurant said the robot is affecting business? (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com) Navbharat Times reported that the number of customers had increased after the robot’s arrival, citing the owner and manager. Tarun Bharat also said crowds had grown at the restaurant as people came to watch the robot in action. Neither report gave a number for the increase. (jagran.com) Dainik Jagran said the restaurant is now preparing to make the system fully automated by adding floor sensors and guide lines so the robot can reach set tables without employee assistance. The report said work in that direction had already begun with technical help, making that upgrade the next identifiable step in the rollout. (jagran.com) (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com)