--- title: "No, McDonald’s Isn’t Deploying Humanoid Robots as Workers in Shanghai" description: "A video shows a uniformed robotic employee at a McDonald's in Shanghai, China greeting a patron while seemingly taking their order." date: "2026-03-24" modified: "2026-03-24" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/mcdonalds-isnt-deploying-humanoid-robots-workers" categories: - "Robotics" - "Robots and Machines" --- # No, McDonald’s Isn’t Deploying Humanoid Robots as Workers in Shanghai ![A video shows a uniformed robotic employee at a McDonald's in Shanghai, China greeting a patron while seemingly taking their order.]() *CyberRobo via X* A [video]() is making the rounds on social media, showing a uniformed robotic employee at a McDonald's in Shanghai, China greeting a patron while seemingly taking their order. The stunt was a joint collaboration between the fast food chain and Keenon Robotics, an international company specializing in service robots, like the serving trays on wheels that are becoming an increasingly common sight at restaurants around the world. https://twitter.com/CyberRobooo/status/2034217193966289245 After the video went viral, it was immediately followed by breathless coverage in the media about humanoid robots being tested "[on the front line]()." "McDonald's experimenting with robot employees that look like humans — and even dress in uniform," the [*New York Post* wrote](). The reaction isn't exactly surprising. After all, the topic of humanoid robots coming for our jobs has been front of mind as companies continue to make technological leaps, allowing them to become [astonishingly agile]() and [increasingly capable](). But the reality behind the stunt undercuts all that overheated coverage. "Just to be clear — the robots were part of the grand opening of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum restaurant," McDonald's global chief impact officer Jon Banner [tweeted in response to the widely shared video](). "The robots were requested by the museum to draw attention through a temporary greeting. Mission accomplished!" Banner also denied that the fast food chain was replacing any human labor at its restaurants. "The robots were not involved in any service or operational functions," he added. "And if you didn’t visit prior to today, you missed them." Intentionally or not, the optics are messy. Why dress humanoid robots in human staffer uniforms if they're not actually doing any work? "Our Humanoid series are leading the squad and hitting the streets," Keenon wrote in a [Facebook post](). "It’s a showcase of how service automation is becoming a seamless part of global dining, and how technology brings more smiles to every mealtime." It's not the company's first collaboration with a fast food brand. In a [video on its homepage](), the company quotes Burger King regional manager Riku-Matti Meuronen, who said that the company's wheeled serving robots put a "smile" on children's faces during a different event. The confusion surrounding the publicity stunt highlights the public's growing wariness of humanoid robots replacing human labor, a trend that's [already well underway]() at some companies. Fast food chains have also resorted to other tech, like self-serve kiosks to speed up the ordering process and AI chatbots at drive-thru lanes — often with [less than-stellar results](). **More on humanoid robots:** [*Trade Unions Alarmed by Robots Designed to Do Blue Collar Work*]() ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()