When people imagine the implementation of robotics in real-world scenarios, a range of attitudes begins to permeate the dialogue. As with any cutting-edge advance, uncertainty is one of the most common reactions. Since the scope of automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics is ever-evolving and enters so many cultural, community, and commercial spaces, it is automatically one of the most challenging areas of emerging technology to address accurately. As automation propels innovation into human spaces and gains more prominence in our everyday lives, inquiries on intent, necessity, and impact lead the conversation. Are robots here to help? Are they here to replace humans? What can a robot do for me? In the hospitality space, these questions remain the same.

Bear Robotics could be a solution. The company has spent the last four years engineering some of the latest service solutions for restaurants and senior living facilities and learning how these solutions can better serve human-centered spaces. Below are some of the lessons the company has learned.

A Human Approach to Automation

One of the most common concerns about robots in hospitality arises from apprehension around losing the human element of service. At Bear Robotics, this is perhaps the most important misconception to correct.

Automation for Enhanced Human Experiences

Especially in hospitality spaces, automation should be utilized to eliminate obstacles that impair meaningful human interactions. Restaurant robotics can be used to tackle repetitive tasks like running food, delivering drink orders, and bussing tables. Automation can aid service staff in improving the most important part of their job – communicating with customers to ensure excellent experiences. Restaurants can be super hectic, especially during a busy shift. Everyone has been in a position of being overlooked or underserved. It is a universal experience to see restaurant staff obstructed by small tasks like running food or bussing tables while the customers are left to catch them in quick moments between dashing here and there. This is frustrating for all parties involved.

Cutting repetitive work is essential in bringing about more meaningful human experiences – whether that’s implementing robotics, pay-at-table technology, or beyond. This is especially important in senior living spaces where the relationships between staff and residents are crucial in establishing trust, comfort, and mutual gratification through key interactions like mealtime service. Without the burdens of repetitive work, servers are less stressed and more present for residents. This contributes to a more human-centered interface and elevated experience for both parties. Ultimately, this leads to happier residents, higher job satisfaction, and less turnover for staff.

Insulating Against Labor Scarcity

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have been especially hard on the hospitality industry. From shutdowns to reduced menus, the initial impact was damaging enough, and now we’re faced with one of the biggest labor shortages of the last century. Automation solutions are a huge help in this capacity for two reasons. The first is simply how automation or robotic solutions can help pick up the slack where a shortage of employees may leave gaps in service. The second and more important reason is that these solutions allow servers to focus on the more rewarding aspects of their jobs. Instead of being bogged down by all the running around, they’re able to focus on their guests. This leads to happier customers, higher tips, and, most importantly, greater employee retention. With staff gaining higher job satisfaction, no hospitality space should worry about high turnover and low prospects.

The Bottom Line

Cost is one of the first concerns when deciding to implement new technology. Many immediately jump to the conclusion that automation carries a hefty price tag. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. Many restaurant tech companies combat sticker shock with flexible payment plans, leasing agreements, and even free showcase opportunities with no strings attached. It takes some research to find the perfect plan with the right price.

Conclusion

If you’ve considered implementing automation into your hospitality space, now is the perfect time to explore your options. Modern restaurant robots and automation solutions are not only cost-effective and can help mitigate against the effects of recent restaurant shortages, but they also are vital in bringing about an enhanced element of human interaction. This leads to elevated experiences for both customers and service personnel – a win-win in the world of high-tech hospitality.

Acknowledgment: This research sponsored by the GloMed.Education website.

Fred DeMicco
Northern Arizona University