McDonald's (MCD.US) Shanghai stores debut Keenon "humanoid robot" as a pilot for new automated service scenarios

According to reports, this pilot project took place in mid-March 2026 and represents a short-term exploration by McDonald's into future service models. The robots deployed onsite, developed by Keenon Robotics, wore McDonald's iconic red and yellow uniforms and primarily handled tasks such as front-desk greeting, information consultation, and interactive entertainment with customers. Complementing these were mature wheeled food delivery robots, responsible for accurately delivering meals to tables. This scenario has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with outside observers speculating whether this fast-food giant is planning a large-scale global automation transformation.