X

Step inside this robot-run restaurant

LG's booth at CES 2020 features a restaurant-scale demo, complete with robotic staff waiting on your table, creating your cappuccino and preparing your meal.

Sarah Tew
I'm a visual storyteller, working primarily in the medium of photography and photoshop. I listen to more podcasts than I can keep up with and enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and am striving for a sustainable lifestyle. A big-picture thinker, I am always trying to put the pieces together, and though things are scary these days, I believe humanity will pull through.
Sarah Tew
LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
1 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

If you're hungry at CES, not an uncommon occurrence when traversing the cavernous Las Vegas Convention Center, LG has a restaurant right in its booth. Welcome to CLOi's Table, where the service is rather stiff.

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
2 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

CLOi's Table is run by robots, both in the kitchen and front of house. Something to drink? One robot poured single-brew cups of coffee.

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
3 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

On each table sits a small robot. Speak to it to place your order, ask for service or request your bill

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
4 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

A lone human gave a presentation, emphasizing that, with the help of all the robot coworkers, he was better able to focus on his customers.

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
5 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Behind the glass is the dishwasher robot busily cleaning plates. The robot on the right transport meals and empty tableware to and from the kitchen.

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
6 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Here's another ominous robot ready to take a human's place.

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
7 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

The human staff explains to guests how they can interact with the robot on their table.  

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
8 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

"How is everything?," asks the human waiter in the scene. Well ... the food is fine, but have you noticed we're surrounded by robots? 

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
9 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Even the actors hired to portray guests at the restaurant seem to be uncomfortable being spied upon by a "cute robot" sitting right on their table.

LG demos CLOi's Table: a robot-manned restaurant experience at CES 2020
10 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

When it's time to clear the table, the human waiter loads plates onto this bussing bot.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos