(Mosul) Burgers on its tray, a robot moves under the amused gaze of customers. in Mosul, a restaurant and its automated waiters are propelling customers into the future with technology built in part in this war-ravaged city in Iraq.
“Welcome to you at table number three”, “I hope you have a good time in our restaurant”, “Don’t forget to give us your opinion on the idea of the restaurant and the level of service”, says the mechanical – and feminine – voice of the sparkling white and blue robot, the red light of its softly blinking eyes.
Scarf elegantly tied at the neck, black beret on his head, he sets off again through the crowded room, sliding slowly on a rail on the ground ensuring his movement.
“On television we saw robots and digital touch tables, in the United Arab Emirates, in Spain or in Japan. I tried to bring these ideas together here in Mosul, ”proudly says Rami Chkib Abdelrahmane, owner of the establishment which opened in June.
“We saw the concept on social networks, in more than one restaurant,” continues the 30-something.
A large metropolis in northern Iraq, under the control of jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) group from 2014 to 2017, Mosul still bears the scars of war.
Travel in space
For dinner at White Fox, locals can travel through space. And every evening, the restaurant has a full house.
The wall decoration sets the tone: a floating astronaut, a view of the Earth or other planets, as if seen from the windows of a spaceship. On the ceiling, blue constellations.
The main attraction remains the two plastic-shelled androids who commute to transport the food.
When the robot approaches, the seated consumers take out their smartphones. Before leaving, the children stand quietly beside them while the parents take a souvenir photo.
The robots were imported from abroad, explains Abdelrahmane. Discreet, this dentist prefers not to discuss the cost or the financing of his project.
Here everything is technological, even the 15 digital tables, whose touch-sensitive surface allows you to consult the menu and place an order. They are also equipped with wireless chargers for the phones.
It was a team from the University of Mosul, from the Faculty of Mechatronics – a discipline combining mechanics, electronics, computer science and new technologies – which carried out the programming, the establishment of an electronic network and a waiter, he said.
“Favorite restaurant”
Some White Fox customers make the trip from neighboring regions, Salaheddine or Erbil, assures Mr. Abdelrahmane, who hopes to open soon for breakfast and lunch.
But machines have not completely replaced man.
Four young waiters are busy in the dining room, placing the dishes from the robot’s tray on the table.
Having come to dinner with his wife, Bashar Mahmoud is won over. It takes a selfie with the robot in the background. Amused smile on his lips, he does not take his eyes off the moving automaton.
“I have traveled abroad, I have never seen anything like it, neither in Turkey, nor in Jordan, nor in Saudi Arabia,” exclaims the 50-year-old blacksmith with the salt and pepper beard.
“Whether it is for the cleanliness, the speed, the prices, this service in Mosul makes me very happy. I really hope that it will become widespread in all restaurants, ”he adds, all smiles. “This place will be my favorite restaurant in Mosul. ”