This is the shocking moment a dancing robot goes berserk at a restaurant, sending food flying while staff try to drag it away.

Customers at the Haidilao hotpot restaurant in San Jose, California, were enjoying their meals when a humanoid started showing off some moves.

While performing a dance routine, involving waving its arms and shaking its hips, the robot suddenly slams its hands down on a table.

This sends chopsticks and bright yellow sauce flying into the air, while staff race over to try and turn it off.

But the humanoid continues to dance throughout the altercation – which saw three employees wrestle with the robot and try to drag it away by the scruff of its neck.

The clip has gone viral online, with many people finding the malfunction comical. 

One warned that 'this is how the takeover begins', while another joked: 'This puts a new spin on "doing the robot".'

However, it wasn't all fun and games, as one concerned viewer added: 'All jokes aside, shouldn't there always be a big red button or a kill switch somewhere on the robot?'

During the chaotic scene, one employee can be seen holding the robot by a large handle at the back of its neck while desperately searching on her phone – presumably to find the controls.

Staff trying to apprehend the humanoid were forced to periodically duck out the way to avoid being hit by its waving hands.

Some of the robot's moves include putting its hands on its hips while stamping its legs and waving an arm up and down in the air.

Luckily the customers did not seem to mind their food being thrown around, and could be heard hysterically laughing.

The incident appears to have been part of a promotional event for Disney's 'Zootopia 2' at the restaurant.

According to Chinese business and financial news website, Jiemian Global, the Haidilao chain is run by a company known for investing in automated kitchens featuring robot chefs, as well as robot food deliveries.

One person on X joked that the robot 'has no regrets' and 'just wants to dance'.

Someone else wrote: 'This is the most human thing a robot has ever done. Hated the job, made a scene, no regrets.' 

And another said: 'This is how the "Terminator" timeline actually begins. Not with a bang, but with a boogie.'

Some online commentators have speculated that the humanoid is an AGIBOT X2, a machine that boasts 'humanoid gait, complex dance routines and coordinated head movements'. Haidilao has been contacted for comment about the incident. 

This isn't the first time an out-of-control robot has hit the headlines this week.  

Earlier this week, a humanoid robot was detained by police after terrifying an elderly woman in China.