PART NOVELTY , PART FUNCTIONAL , HOTELS ARE USING THE DEVICES FOR MUNDANE TASKS — SO FAR . |
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Contributed by JUDITH CROWN |
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can I get a cocktail ?” That ’ s the logic behind Pepper , an interactive robot stationed in the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas – or as General Manager Donald Bowman corrects , Pepper the MObot . A product of SoftBank Robotics , Pepper fills in if there is a wait for the live concierge , answering questions by voice or touch screen . She also entertains by answering one-off questions such as what her favorite color is ( gold , like the lobby wall ) or hockey team is ( the Vegas Golden Knights ). |
Hotel Icon in Hong Kong , a research and training hotel owned by Hong Kong Polytechnic University , last year tested Jeeves , a robot produced by Konica Minolta , to deliver drinks to guests at the pool . Another device , the Intellibot made by Diversey , was used to vacuum carpeted floors .
Hotel Icon General Manager Richard Hatter says he envisions robots delivering equipment from the housekeeping office to room attendants , assisting with overnight delivery of dry goods and beverages to
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kitchens and clearing used plates and glasses at cocktail parties .
The hotel plans to begin a renovation in three years , and “ the architectural design will support the mobility of the robots ,” Hatter says .
LACKING PRECISION Although robots appear well-suited to mundane tasks as vacuuming , they can only go so far in preparing guest rooms — scrubbing bathrooms and making beds . “ There ’ s a high level of precision required in making a bed , folding sheets and towels ,” says Katerina
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Berezina , assistant professor in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Leadership at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee .
Humans do have a place at the Henn na chain , which operates five hotels in Japan and plans to add seven more this year . “ Making beds and preparing food are human tasks still ,” a representative says in an email .
It ’ s possible that robots are best suited to budget or midscale hotels , where machines can save operators labor costs and keep rates
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Mandarin Oriental Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas General Manager Donald Bowman and Pepper
low . On the other hand , all hotels could benefit from the entertainment value that captivates guests — especially kids .
However , “ the novelty wears out over time ,” Chun notes . “ How is the rest of your stay ?”
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May 2018 hotelsmag . com 11 |