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Knowledge base

Restaurant serving robots: common problems and fixes

Serving robots carry trays between the kitchen and tables. They depend on a clear path and an up-to-date map of table points, so most issues come from the dining room, not the robot.

Restaurant serving robots
AI-generated category illustration, not the specific model.

Where you meet them

Restaurants, cafes, canteens, hotel breakfast halls

Models

Stops and says the path is blocked

Aisles became too narrow, or something in the hall confuses its sensors.

Likely causes

  • Chairs, bags or high chairs narrow the aisle below the robot's minimum width
  • Guests or staff standing in its route
  • Dirty sensors
  • Navigation markers covered or damaged, if your model uses them

Try this first

  1. 1 Check the minimum aisle width in the manual and clear the route.
  2. 2 Wipe the robot's sensors with a dry microfiber cloth.
  3. 3 If your model uses ceiling or floor markers, check none are covered or peeling.

Call a technician if:The path is clear and clean, but it still stops in the same place.

Run guided diagnosis

Trays tilt or drinks spill

Load, speed and floor transitions are the usual reasons.

Likely causes

  • Heavy or unbalanced load on one tray
  • Thresholds, ramps or uneven floor tiles
  • Speed or acceleration set too high for drinks

Try this first

  1. 1 Put the heaviest items on the lowest tray, in the middle.
  2. 2 Check the route for thresholds and loose tiles.
  3. 3 Lower the speed setting for drink deliveries if your model allows it.

Call a technician if:The robot shakes or pulls to one side on a flat floor, which can point to a wheel or suspension issue.

Run guided diagnosis

Goes to the wrong table

Table points no longer match where the tables stand.

Likely causes

  • Tables were moved or renumbered
  • Table points were set on an old map
  • The robot drifted from its position

Try this first

  1. 1 Check that table numbers in the robot match the hall layout.
  2. 2 Return the robot to its home point and restart the delivery.

Call a technician if:Several table points have to be set again.

Run guided diagnosis

Battery runs out before the shift ends

Charging habits and battery age matter most.

Likely causes

  • The robot is not charged between rush hours
  • The battery is ageing
  • A charger or cable fault

Try this first

  1. 1 Check the charger cable and plug for damage.
  2. 2 Charge between rush hours, as the manual recommends.
  3. 3 If your model has a swappable battery, use the spare.

Call a technician if:The battery is hot, swollen, smells or the robot shuts down suddenly at a high charge level.

Run guided diagnosis

General guidance for any brand. Always follow your robot's manual first. Never open the battery compartment or the robot's body, and keep the manufacturer's warranty in mind.

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