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All I want is to be able to order my food and a refill on water without having to wait. This technology has existed for decades but the US resists it.

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I have been to many restaurants in the US without wait service (order at counter and bus yourself) and self serve water dispensers.

Sure, these are called counter-serve restaurants. They appear to make up less than 10% of the restaurants in my area. If a restaurant launches as counter-serve, I guess it gets wait-free "technology" for free by accident.

What I'd like is for a "wait free" experience to spread beyond counter-serve. I have, very rarely, seen a QR code I can scan on the table allowing me to order and pay via phone. Then my food just arrives. That's seamless and frustration-free.

I would not mind except for the US’s tipping culture. I would rather bus myself than pay a tip just to have someone walk a few feet to drop off food and pickup plates.

There's a place in sunnyvale that brings your food out to you by robot.

No ordering though. don't know if refills could come out.

EDIT: pho #1 in sunnyvale ca

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar in Cupertino is completely automated save for the seating hostess and the presentation of the bill.

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