Fancy a robot as your restaurant waiter? How about robots that play musical instruments and sing to keep you entertained while you dine? Such things are not in the realm of fantasy, at least not at Guomao Hotel in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province.

Here, technological innovation is ubiquitous.

Eight robot waiters serve guests at Guomao Hotel. Seven other robots play musical instruments and sing. Another five are doormen that welcome diners. The 20 robots are proof that residents get to enjoy the technology that is incubated in their city.

A robot programmed to serve as a restaurant waiter. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The local authorities in Zhangjiagang champion the cause of technological innovation, said Lu Xiaofeng, director in charge of talent recruitment and scientific and technical project development with Zhangjiagang Shazhou Lake Technological Innovation Park Development Co Ltd, an incubator of innovative enterprises.

Private-sector manufacturing industries have benefited a lot from the city's innovation push. "More than eight enterprises have been incubated within the past two years and have been realizing positive cash flows. They are in sectors ranging from robot production to pharmaceutical-use packaging systems," said Lu.