In China and other East Asian countries, robots are already more common: they deliver dishes in restaurant chains and perform tasks ranging from cleaning to greeting guests in hotels. The American investment bank Morgan Stanley forecasts that the world could have more than one billion humanoid robots by 2050.
In Karachi, Pakistan's economic capital, two humanoid robots have joined the staff of a restaurant to serve customers. At the Italian restaurant The Sicilian, a robot waitress makes her way between the tables and sets down a freshly made pizza in front of a waiting family.
For now, they are a big hit with local families, who flock to see the machines in action. The attraction, unusual in Karachi, particularly appeals to children and draws curious visitors from across the city.
Staff say the novelty has led to a clear rise in attendance. Some customers cross the entire city to come and meet the robots.
The establishment, with its flashing neon lights, is in the heart of the port city. The machines now move among the diners alongside the human staff.
When the robots arrive, customers must take the dishes from the tray themselves or wait for a member of the human staff to come and help them. Mechanical service therefore does not entirely replace the employees' involvement.
Children reach out to touch the mechanical servers. Their parents take photos and selfies.