Robots brew, serve, chat in Hanoi café

Lam Kieu Oanh, its owner, says: "We wanted to create a space where customers could experience technology in a friendly and natural way."

The robots are being trialed from May 1 to 21 with each assigned a distinct role. One serves as a barista, programmed to brew drinks. Another writes traditional calligraphy, while a third delivers drinks and interacts with customers through voice responses. The fourth acts as a photographer, capturing moments for guests.

Customers can choose between human staff or robotic service. Those who opt for a robot are directed to a designated counter. Once the drink is ready, the robot waves a small flag to signal completion.

 

 

Robots brew, serve, chat in Hanoi café

Quán cà phê đầu tiên ở Hà Nội sử dụng 4 robot phục vụ khách

The robot takes up to 3.5 minutes for an order, comparable to or slightly faster than humans.

Oanh says integrating robots was not without challenges. "When planning it, I imagined a 'wow' effect. But in reality, some customers feel hesitant or even intimidated when approaching the robots."

She says her team had to program every motion of the robotic arms with care, from scooping ice to pouring hot water. Their movement paths, speeds and interactions were also meticulously designed to ensure safety. "They are not here to replace humans, but to offer a fun and convenient experience."

Though the greatest challenge was helping customers feel comfortable around the robots, many visitors embrace the futuristic concept, she says. Le Xuan Dung, a customer who lives in Trung Hoa in Cau Giay District, says: "This is the first time I was served coffee by a robot. The process was smooth and precise, and the drink tasted exactly how it should. The delivery robot even made humorous greetings. It was a refreshing change." He adds that he would be happy to pay a small additional fee for the experience.

Ha Phuong, a Gen Z customer, says: "If no one told me, I would not have known a robot made my coffee, the quality was the same. The ordering and brewing process felt private and comfortable, perfect for introverts like me. I was fascinated watching the robot perform every step."

Oanh says the café is designed especially for young people and children. "Through relatable experiences, we want to show that AI and robotics are not distant or intimidating, they are part of everyday life. We hope to break the ice between people and robots."

"Each day, it brings us more joy to see the robots evolve from working individually to interacting with one another and becoming part of the café’s atmosphere," she adds.

"It is no longer just a sense of surprise or a simple 'wow', it is a deeper happiness that comes from seeing creativity brought to life."