"What can I get you?": Robot waiters are already among us, they don't ask for tips and are increasingly more "human."

The scene no longer belongs to a futuristic movie or TV series, like Robotina from the Jetsons or HERBIE from Fantastic Four. In Argentina , robots are becoming part of everyday life . From mechanical dogs patrolling streets and factories to automated waiters serving dishes in restaurants, robotics is making its way into all kinds of fields.

The popular cameras, alarms, and totems are now complemented by robotic dogs equipped with thermal cameras, radars, and live streaming, which are already patrolling gated communities and public spaces. Due to their multiple features, robots enjoy a versatility that makes them efficient with a common goal: increased efficiency and security .

Not everything in the world of robotics is focused on security or surveillance. Models designed for everyday life and customer service are also emerging. One example is the Dinerbot T9 , which is already used in restaurants and hotels in several cities. This model features adjustable trays at different heights, capable of supporting up to 40 kilos in total, making it a kind of "robotic waiter" ideal for transporting plates or trays without human effort.

Battery life is another of its distinguishing features: it can work for up to 18 hours on a single charge and then automatically returns to its base to recharge in just 4 hours. Everything is controlled from a large, perfectly heightened touchscreen , designed to simplify interaction with both customers and staff.

The secret lies in its core technology: precise navigation using digital maps, 3D sensors for real-time obstacle avoidance, and algorithms that allow multiple robots to work simultaneously without crossing paths. Even the chassis has independent suspension with shock absorption, unusual for service equipment , allowing it to move smoothly on uneven surfaces or in aisles just 70 centimeters wide.

In Argentina, the arrival of this trend is being driven by companies looking to open the market from scratch.

“We are pioneers in the industry, understanding all the barriers that such a new technology presents. At first, we used to call and no one answered; today, it's the big brands that seek us out . We are convinced that this is not a fad, but rather a tool that will be increasingly present in daily life, transforming how we work, consume, and live,” said Guido Boto, Product Manager at Ibis Robotics.

Its goal is to bring delivery, cleaning, and logistics robots to the region, representing two giants in the sector: Pudu Robotics and Keenon Robotics.

In addition to service models like the Dinerbot T9, Ibis sells cleaning robots capable of covering up to 6,000 square meters on a single charge, with functions ranging from vacuuming and sweeping to mopping and drying floors. They also offer industrial logistics units that can move up to 800 kilos and connect to elevators and automatic doors to navigate factories and warehouses without human intervention.

There are units that operate exclusively in the food and retail sectors, from the Japanese Garden and River Plate's Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, to the Lino Mall wholesale supermarket in Córdoba , and food companies like Tostadas Mariere in Marcos Paz. They are also operating in bars and cafes like Código Bar and Confitería 9 de Diciembre , and will soon open in three Buenos Aires hotels that already have signed contracts.

The reaction to this type of robot is usually immediate: customers report a "wow effect" when they first encounter one of these robots, in a market where penetration is still low. "What we're looking for is for people to be able to focus on higher-value tasks while the robots take care of repetitive logistics," Boto summarizes.

Robotics, then, isn't advancing on a single front. While service robots aim to streamline tasks in urban and commercial environments, security robot dogs emerge as allies in monitoring industrial perimeters, patrolling public roads, or even rescue tasks in landslides. Both cases demonstrate how these machines are beginning to coexist in our daily lives: some as assistants serving dishes or cleaning floors, others as security tools that reach where a human cannot.

There are humanoids and others characterized by their dog-like shape , with a certain similarity to the world-famous Xiaomi models, or those that have characteristics like Spot, from Boston Dynamics . Far from being a curiosity or a futuristic product, Big Dipper brand models are becoming concrete tools for security , industry, and even emergencies.

In Argentina, for example, several companies are already working with these types of machines, which, far from replacing security guards, function as a technological complement capable of reaching places where humans cannot.

The idea, a priori, is clear: to extend insecurity as far away from the user as possible . In this context, quadruped robots are used to patrol open areas, factories, or private neighborhoods, where a human guard would have difficulty, either due to extreme temperatures or the vastness of the terrain.

These devices are equipped with thermal cameras, radars, and real-time video transmission . They can move across uneven surfaces, crouch, or enter hard-to-reach areas. The footage they capture is transmitted to an operations center, where biometrics, license plate detection, and wanted person identification tools are applied.

A concrete example of this technology, the company says, can be seen in Santiago del Estero. There, a robot autonomously patrols the main pedestrian zone, equipped with cameras and updated daily with the Judiciary's fugitive database. Its mission is to roam public spaces like an agent, although its contribution is silent and highly technological. Among its features are facial recognition and real-time detection of wanted persons .

The potential of quadrupeds goes beyond security. During collapses or catastrophes, such as the one that occurred at the Villa Gesell hotel in late 2024 , these types of units can penetrate the rubble, illuminate the area, transmit live video, and even enable two-way communication between rescuers and trapped victims.

Mining is another sector where quadrupeds are finding their place. Robots can transport hazardous substances, assemble robotic arms, or perform thermal measurements of transformers in open fields without exposing workers to extreme conditions. In this field, versatility is key: the same robot can be used for security, logistics, or technical inspections.

“These teams are not here to replace people, but to empower them ,” says Gabriel Bruno, Marketing Manager at Big Dipper.

Furthermore, technological advancements in recent years have made it possible to lower the costs of many of these units.

In the humanoid segment, for example, the brand's H1 model was the first to arrive in Argentina two years ago and cost $200,000 . It had difficulty walking, falling, and struggling to get up. Now, thanks to mass production, the new R1 comes with improved software and costs less than $30,000 .

"It's difficult in Argentina to buy a humanoid, to justify a budget for that purpose, even though they are increasingly rare, and there are much better tools, which are quadrupeds, dogs. These can carry a defibrillator, a thermal camera, avoid objects or jump, and even save a life for about $2,900 ," Bruno concludes.