Attempted theft: Man tried to steal restaurant robot

A man tried to steal a service robot from a Vietnamese restaurant in San José, California, on Saturday. However, two employees were able to free the robot from the man's clutches in time and thwart the "kidnapping". It remains unclear what the man wanted to do with the robot. The perpetrator was able to escape.

Around 20 minutes before the Vietnamese restaurant Pho 21 opened at 8 a.m., a member of staff let a man in to use the toilets. However, the man had other things on his mind and grabbed one of three Bellabot service robots from robotics company Navia Robotics, as can be seen on a surveillance video. The restaurant uses the self-driving robots to bring food to the tables, replacing service staff.

Thwarted theft

The man dragged the robot, which weighed 60 kg, through the restaurant outside to a mini SUV parked in front of the door. Two restaurant employees followed the thief and were able to free the service robot from the man's clutches while he was still trying to load it. Apparently he had difficulties with the heavy weight of the robot. The man did not attempt to retrieve the robot, but fled with the vehicle without having achieved anything. No one was injured during the attempted theft. The robot was also not seriously damaged and got away with a few scratches.

The owner of the Pho 21 filed a complaint with the local police authorities. It is unclear what the man intended to do with the Bellabot. Although the robot is worth around 18,000 US dollars, it has to be elaborately programmed and integrated into a special control environment in order to function. Outside the restaurant, the robot could therefore only be used at great expense and is largely useless.

The service robot is now back at work in the restaurant, serving guests.

Read also

Der Roboter im Restaurant: Wie Roboter das Servicepersonal entlasten können

(olb)