Room Service Robots Could Be Coming to a Hotel Near You
In the past, describing any hospitality experience as "robotic" would have seemed like an insult. But as artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the travel industry is finding new and innovative ways to utilize it to better ensure a seamless experience for travelers. In June, JetBlue announced it was implementing AI technology to assist customers with planning the perfect trip. Now, hotels are taking the technology revolution one step further, by employing robots as staff members.
CNN Travel recently reported that Singapore’s M Social Hotel — a boutique property from Millennium Hotels that was designed with millennial business travelers in mind — had rolled out a fleet of room service robots for its guests. Known as AURA, the idea behind the new program is based on both efficiency and fun, with the goal of improving the overall guest experience.
Though AURA is one of the newest robots on the butler block, he’s not the first. Back in 2014, Aloft — another hotel chain known for being on the bleeding-edge of technology — took a page out of The Jetsons’ book when it debuted Botlr, a three-foot-tall robot butler, at its Aloft Cupertino property (which seems only appropriate). Within a year, the hotel had added a second Botlr — whose main job is assisting with deliveries, including towels and toiletries — as the original mode made the rounds to Aloft outposts across the country. Check out the video below for a closer look at what Botlr can do.
In 2016, Savioke — a Santa Clarita, California, start-up intent on seeing its autonomous robot helpers in hotels across the country — got a $15 million infusion of capital to make that goal a reality. The main job of its bot, known as Relay, is also to assist with deliveries. A staff member would simply need to load him up with the requested goodies, punch in the room number and off he'd go, using Wi-Fi and 3D cameras to assist with navigation.
Aloft’s Botlr and Savioke’s Relay are, in fact, one in the same. The company supplies its robots to a number of hotels, many of which give their ‘bot a unique moniker, and even special tasks. At the Residence Inn by Marriott on Century Boulevard, located right by LAX, its Saviokie Relay is known as “Wally” and delivers Starbucks coffee as part of his daily duties. The Crowne Plaza San Jose-Silicon Valley, the Grand Hotel in Sunnyvale and the Holiday Inn Express in Redwood City have all had a Relay rolling down their halls, too.
Whether these robots will be the room service attendants of the future or simply a fun photo op at tech-savvy properties really depends on who you ask. Last year, Steve Choe — general manager of the luxurious InterContinental Los Angeles Century City — told the Los Angeles Times that one thing still missing from robo-service is that personal touch, a quality people still seek from hotels. But Lynn Mohrfeld, president of the California Hotel and Lodging Association, disagrees. In the same article, he told the Los Angeles Times that while high-end hotel guests may want — and expect — that personal touch, robot helpers could be a boon to hotels that cater to families, millennials and tech-savvy guests.
If you’re really willing to hand your hotel experience over to robot, there’s also the Henn na Hotel, a.k.a. the Weird Hotel, in Sasebo, Nagaski, Japan, where automated workers — some of them rather human-looking — will do everything from checking you in to carrying your luggage. The future is now.
What do you think? Are you a fan of robot room service? Sound off, below.
H/T: CNN Travel
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.