Robots are replacing waiters and delivering fresh seafood right to people's tables at Alibaba's high-tech restaurant in Shanghai

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When a customer arrives, they're still greeted by a host or hostess.

When a customer arrives, they're still greeted by a host or hostess.
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The customer uses a check-in kiosk to find a table.

The customer uses a check-in kiosk to find a table.

Staff is available to walk them through the steps the first time around.

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A QR code on the customer's app is then scanned to the kiosk to inform the software system where they'll be sitting.

A QR code on the customer's app is then scanned to the kiosk to inform the software system where they'll be sitting.

From there, the customer is free to go about the supermarket choosing the fresh seafood they want the cooks to prepare.

From there, the customer is free to go about the supermarket choosing the fresh seafood they want the cooks to prepare.
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The customer can take the bagged items to checkout once they're ready, where they once again pull up their QR code to be scanned.

The customer can take the bagged items to checkout once they're ready, where they once again pull up their QR code to be scanned.

Once the order is complete, the employee at the checkout counter puts the bagged items on a hanger attached to a conveyor belt.

Once the order is complete, the employee at the checkout counter puts the bagged items on a hanger attached to a conveyor belt.
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And the belt takes the bag to a robotic arm that transfers it to a refrigerator so it's kept cool until the customer is seated and the food is ready to be prepared.

And the belt takes the bag to a robotic arm that transfers it to a refrigerator  so it's kept cool until the customer is seated and the food is ready to be prepared.

The customer, meanwhile, is seated at the table they chose once it's ready.

The customer, meanwhile, is seated at the table they chose once it's ready.
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While they wait, a QR code at the table allows the customer to order additional items, like rice.

While they wait, a QR code at the table allows the customer to order additional items, like rice.

The menu for these additional items is right there on the app.

The menu for these additional items is right there on the app.
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The kitchen staff places the food — the fresh items bought at the supermarket and the additional items from the app — on carts.

The kitchen staff places the food — the fresh items bought at the supermarket and the additional items from the app — on carts.

And the readied carts navigate around a highway of surfaces according to the location specified by the customer's QR code.

And the readied carts navigate around a highway of surfaces according to the location specified by the customer's QR code.
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All the food goes straight to the customer's table.

All the food goes straight to the customer's table.

The pod opens so the customer can retrieve their meal, and the transaction is complete.

The pod opens so the customer can retrieve their meal, and the transaction is complete.
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Last step: Enjoy a fresh seafood meal, hand-picked and straight from the market.

Last step: Enjoy a fresh seafood meal, hand-picked and straight from the market.

You can watch Alibaba's whole video here.

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