Pizza with a side of sci-fi: Meet Karachi’s robot waitresses Robia and Jojo

In the bustling city of Karachi, a unique addition to the dining experience has emerged in the form of robot waitresses, Robia and Jojo. These robotic servers have captured the attention of diners in the neon-lit, sci-fi themed restaurant, Sicilian, owned by Pakistani engineer Syed Osama Aziz. The robots, named after the Italian dessert and the son of the renowned Greek god Zeus, are equipped with spherical white heads, dark visors, and black dupattas, reminiscent of the traditional attire worn by women in the region.

Aziz, who operates his own robotics company, Cobot, developed the robots using locally manufactured components and his own lab. He faced challenges in sourcing necessary equipment, as such resources are not readily available in Pakistan. With help from friends and some imported electronic components, Aziz was able to bring his vision to life, creating robots that offer a unique dining experience.

While similar robots are becoming increasingly common in countries such as China and various parts of East Asia, their presence in Pakistan remains a novelty. At Sicilian, customers must either take the food off the robots' serving trays themselves or wait for a human staff member to assist them. Despite this limitation, the robots have proven to be a hit among families visiting the restaurant.

Excited customers like Ahmer Zameer appreciate the robots' self-introduction and ability to suggest menu items based on their previous orders. Children are particularly drawn to the robots, often reaching out to touch them while their parents snap selfies.

For Aziz, the future of his robotic waitresses holds even more potential. He envisions adding advanced features such as camera-based processing and image recognition, allowing the robots to identify customers and provide personalized suggestions. As the novelty of robot waitresses continues to generate buzz and attract curious diners to Sicilian, it remains to be seen if these robotic servers will become a more common sight in Pakistan's dining scene.