The 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival is offering visitors more than food, drinks, and entertainment this year, turning its Qingdao West Coast New Area venue into a showcase for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.

Across the festival grounds, smart technologies have been integrated into nearly every aspect of the celebration. Intelligent retail robots serve beer, snacks, and ice cream within seconds after receiving voice or QR code orders, while automated draft beer systems dispense freshly poured beer with precise foam control, making service faster and more efficient.

Technology is also reshaping the dining experience. Inside the festival's "future beer factory", robots prepare local seafood dishes in a transparent digital kitchen, where automated woks control heat and cooking time with the utmost precision.

Behind the scenes, autonomous patrol robots equipped with high-definition cameras, infrared sensors, and environmental monitoring devices enhance security by conducting round-the-clock patrols throughout the venue.

The festival's futuristic atmosphere is further enhanced by humanoid robots performing synchronized dances and interacting with visitors. More than 300 solar-powered smart umbrellas also provide shade, phone charging, and interactive digital services, adding extra convenience to the outdoor event.

A retail robot selects beverages from a display case. [Photo/Bandao News]

A patrol robot equipped for security monitoring operates at the Qingdao International Beer Festival. [Photo/Bandao News]