'Robo chefs' dish up the perfect solution

High-tech companies have turned Harbin into a center for research and development in automated machines

It might seem more like science fiction than science fact, but a Chinese company has been developing a range of "robo chefs" for cafeterias and restaurants.

The Haiying Robot Manufacturing Company turns out more than 1,000 automated "cooks" annually, which cost 100,000 yuan ($15,748) each, at its factory in Harbin, the largest city in Heilongjiang province.