A robot waiter shaped like a cat is entertaining customers at a Japanese restaurant - by singing 'happy birthday' and demanding affection.<br /><br />Maki & Ramen, on South Bridge, Edinburgh, introduced the 'assistant' earlier this month - and has been inundated with enthusiasm from diners.<br /><br />The feline robot, named Miyako, is operated by sensors and navigates around the small restaurant.<br /><br />Diners have fallen for Miyako, which has a personality like a cat - both demanding to be scratched and petted, and rejecting attention as well.<br /><br />The robot, which was brought from Korea, delivers food to tables and interacts with customers using a range of hilarious facial expressions, a bit like a Tamagochi.<br /><br />Miyako won't be putting staff out of their jobs though, as she needs to be accompanied by a human.<br /><br />The chain of restaurants opened seven years ago and makes its own ramen noodles at a factory in Edinburgh.<br /><br />Marketing director Effie Koutroumanou, 29, said: "Miyako is one of the first robot waiters in Scotland, and the first in Edinburgh.<br /><br />"Japan is really keen on respect, innovation and technology.<br /><br />"Miyako has been here less than a month.<br /><br />"The feedback has been great so far, everyone loves her.<br /><br />"At first people are surprised, then it takes a little bit of time to understand how it works.<br /><br />"Miyako is very friendly, chatty and talkative.<br /><br />"She goes to all the tables.<br /><br />"She sings 'happy birthday' and you can pat her.<br /><br />"We've had a lot of people coming in just to see Miyako.<br /><br />"She's not going to put staff out of a job - she's an assistant.<br /><br />"She's very hard working and she's out every day."<br /><br />The robot is better suited to smaller environments, rather than the company's six larger restaurants.<br /><br />Effie added: "We don't know if it's going to be a great fit.<br /><br />"It needs to be functional."
