A Winnipeg restaurant that was struggling to keep staff during the pandemic came up with a futuristic solution: it hired a robot.

Dirk Wang, one of the owners of Hong Du Kkae on the Pembina Highway, had long considered buying a robot for the restaurant. After months of challenges amid the pandemic, Wang said they finally decided to pay $26,000 to onboard the new robotic employee.

“All the other employees enjoy working with him,” Wang said.

Waiters still take orders from diners, but then the robot takes over, delivering food and drinks to tables.

“I was very shocked because I’ve never seen anything like it in person. So I think it’s very cute, and also practical,” said Thao To, an international student from Vietnam who was visiting the restaurant. Wednesday.

“I don’t think many people living in Winnipeg have ever seen anything like this. So I think they will come to this restaurant and experience it themselves.

James Young, a computer science professor at the University of Manitoba, said automation in restaurants isn’t new.

“There are sushi boats or conveyor belts delivering food, and McDonald’s now has kiosks. So I see automation as a natural step from what we’ve seen,” he said.

“Robots are increasing dramatically, and their robustness and prices are dropping dramatically. So we will definitely see more things in the future.

A robot serves food at Hong Du Kkae in Winnipeg on March 30. The restaurant owner paid $26,000 for the robot to help him deal with staffing issues during the pandemic. (CTV News Photo Scott Andersson)

Although robots may increase, Young said he doesn’t think they will replace the individual touch that a real person brings to the table.

Shaun Jeffrey, CEO of the Manitoba Restaurants and Food Services Association, said he applauds the restaurant for trying something new, though he doesn’t expect robot servers to become the norm in restaurants. of Winnipeg.

“When you think about the nature of the hospitality industry in a full-service environment, you’re really looking for that fun, smiling face. That person-to-person atmosphere is what really gets people out of the industry in the first place,” he said.

“I don’t see any future replacing that smiley face or that amazing story you’re going to get from someone serving you with an automation that’s just there to serve your food.”

Wang said the robot was a big hit with his customers, boosting his business 25% since the start of the month.

“A lot of them really like it. I know a few people, they come here, ‘Okay, I want to give the robot advice,’ he said.

Even with the robot’s popularity, Wang said he has no plans to add more robots to the staff.

“It doesn’t replace them because the customers still need to talk to the server and also when they need something more the bot can’t do it.”