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Mass Robot Firings in China Because of Incompetence
Atlas Obscura ^ | APRIL 08, 2016 | Cara Giaimo

Posted on 04/09/2016 5:11:05 PM PDT by nickcarraway

"The robots weren't able to carry soup," one of their former colleagues said.

After piloting early AI server programs, three Guangzhou restaurants have engaged in mass robot firings, Shanghaiist reports.

Two of the formerly robot-employing restaurants have closed down entirely, and the remaining one has fired all but one of their nonhuman staff members.

"The boss has decided never to use them again," a human waiter said of his former colleagues.

Said boss and his compatriots originally hired the droids to save money—after an up-front investment, robot workers are much less expensive than humans, because you don't actually have to pay them. (The owners had also anticipated the weird factor, which drew tons of customers.)

But even the hippest, cheapest worker isn't worth it if it can't do the job. "The robots weren't able to carry soup or other food steady," one of their ex-coworkers remarked. Another added, "They can't take orders or pour hot water for customers."


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Food
KEYWORDS: minimumrage; robot; robotics; robots; terminator; workers

1 posted on 04/09/2016 5:11:05 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

I wish they had video of the Rowdy Robot Servers. I’m sure it was a laugh riot. When the Robot spills your soup down the front of your date’s dress, who do you get mad at? I can see lots of physically abused Robots ka-thumping back to the kitchen, motherboards all ripped askew.


2 posted on 04/09/2016 5:19:03 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: nickcarraway

The robots can’t TAKE ORDERS..?

In Japan often there is a little remote control that you push for stuff you want —completely simple.

The thing stays on your table and the waitress then brings your food.

Didn’t want that food? Kay, WHY did YOU order it..? That was you, so pay up. It never even becomes a discussion.

It’s a good system.


3 posted on 04/09/2016 6:30:54 PM PDT by gaijin
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To: nickcarraway

You mean that Bender was incompetent?

Say it ain’t so!


4 posted on 04/09/2016 6:53:15 PM PDT by Zeppo ("Happy Pony is on - and I'm NOT missing Happy Pony")
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To: nickcarraway

Were robots in charge, they would have fired the humans. But that does not matter. Robots cannot be prejudiced.

Clear case of workplace discrimination.


5 posted on 04/09/2016 7:44:49 PM PDT by The_Media_never_lie (Ted Cruz was the man!)
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To: nickcarraway
Very early days for robotics and robots - they're only going to get better.

Whereas humans are already about as good as they're ever going to get at most manual labor.
6 posted on 04/09/2016 11:23:14 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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