WATCH: Dancing robot seen dragged away by panicked restaurant staff after going haywire in bizarre video
A humanoid robot performing for diners at a restaurant in San Jose, California, had to be removed after malfunctioning and smashing tableware during a dance routine captured in a viral video circulating on X.
The robot had reportedly been assigned to entertain guests at a Haidilao hotpot restaurant. The video, which was mistakenly labeled online as taking place in China, begins with the robot dancing for patrons, moving its hands and hips while wearing an orange apron that read “I’m good.”
Moments later, the performance took an unexpected turn. The robot began knocking over dishes and table settings, smashing plates and scattering chopsticks across the floor as the situation quickly escalated.
Restaurant staff then stepped in, grabbing the robot and escorting it out of the dining area while it continued moving erratically.
Online reactions ranged from humor to concern. Some commenters joked about the malfunction, with one writing that the robot had “broken free from the matrix,” while another quipped that it was the result of “not paying your robots enough.”
Others viewed the incident as more troubling. Several users expressed concern about the potential risks of robots malfunctioning in public spaces, noting how difficult it appeared for multiple adults to restrain the machine.
🚨A worker robot in California
just SNAPPED out of its programming
and started SMASHING DISHES and dancing, totally unprompted….. it even resisted being dragged away!
Skynet is coming 😂pic.twitter.com/JzpSQUKZL1
— Tablesalt 🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@Tablesalt13) March 17, 2026
One commenter warned that a similar loss of control in a heavier security or industrial robot could pose serious safety risks, especially if the machine were carrying tools or operating in a factory or kitchen environment. The commenter also stressed the importance of accessible emergency stop controls.
It remains unclear what happened to the robot after the incident.
The situation is not the first time a humanoid robot has reportedly behaved unpredictably. In 2025, video from a factory in China showed a robot appearing to lash out at its handlers during what observers described as a malfunction.
The episode comes as humanoid robots are becoming more common in everyday environments. Companies around the world are developing service robots designed to interact with people in restaurants, hotels, and other public settings.
Earlier this year, Shanghai startup DroidUP introduced a humanoid service robot called Moya. The robot features camera-based vision and a soft outer covering intended to resemble human skin.
According to company founder Li Qingdu, the goal is to design machines that feel more approachable to people.
“A robot that truly serves human life should feel warm and approachable, almost like a living being that people can connect with,” Li said.
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