TLDR: Shenzhen-based robotics firm Dobot has showcased its Dobot Atom humanoid robot successfully cooking a steak from 1,800 kilometers away, controlled by an operator wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset. The demonstration, captured in a four-minute video, highlights the robot’s precision and the potential for teleoperation in various industries beyond culinary arts.
In a significant leap for robotics and remote operation, Chinese firm Dobot has demonstrated its Dobot Atom humanoid robot flawlessly cooking a steak from a remarkable distance of 1,800 kilometers. The groundbreaking feat, revealed via a four-minute video on the company’s official WeChat account, showcased the robot’s ability to perform intricate culinary tasks under virtual reality (VR) control.
The demonstration involved the Dobot Atom, located in Shandong province, being remotely operated by an engineer in Guangdong province. The operator, wearing a VR headset, had their hand gestures precisely mirrored by the robot, enabling it to execute delicate actions such as dabbing the steak with a paper towel, pouring oil, expertly flipping the meat, and even sprinkling salt with its five-finger hands.
Dobot Atom, which was officially launched in March 2025, marks the company’s inaugural venture into humanoid robotics. Founded in 2015, Dobot initially specialized in robotic arms before expanding into the humanoid sector. The Atom boasts impressive technical specifications, including a reported precision of ±0.05mm and 28 degrees of freedom, allowing for highly dexterous manipulations. Currently, only the upper body of the robot can be controlled remotely.
This teleoperation capability, bridging vast distances, opens up a myriad of potential applications beyond household chores. Dobot suggests the technology could revolutionize fields such as remote work, complex surgeries, hazardous nuclear plant inspections, and even space exploration. The successful execution of such a precise task underscores the maturity of Dobot’s technology and its potential to enable professionals to perform duties from virtually anywhere in the world.
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The Dobot Atom is priced at 199,000 yuan (approximately US$27,500). Dobot has already commenced global deliveries of the robot, with Japan receiving the first batch, positioning the company as one of the few Chinese humanoid developers to achieve mass production. While the immediate financial implications of this specific culinary demonstration are considered minimal by industry experts, the broader implications for the intersection of VR, robotics, and artificial intelligence are significant, warranting close observation of future technological integrations.
