May/June 2023

The Robots are Coming to Your Workplace

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it’s no surprise that robotics is making its way into the hospitality industry. From robot food service workers to automated cleaning equipment, the use of robotics in hospitality has the potential to revolutionize the industry and impact overall hiring needs. According to a report by Allied Market Research - the hospitality robots market size was valued at $295.5 million in 2020, and is estimated to reach $3,083 by 2030, The pandemic accelerated the adoption of robots and many restaurants have begun utilizing robots as waiters. Robots can’t get sick or spread diseases, so they are safe and reliable. Robot food service workers have been in development for several years, and some are already in use in certain parts of the world. These robots are designed to serve food, take orders, and even interact with customers in a friendly, engaging and efficient manner. They are capable of working around the clock without requiring breaks or rest periods. They can also perform their tasks with extreme precision and consistency, reducing the likelihood of errors or mistakes. Robot food service workers also reduce labor costs. As labor costs continue to rise, especially in countries where the minimum wage is increasing, many hospitality businesses are struggling to keep up. By using robots to perform certain tasks, businesses can reduce their reliance on human labor and potentially save a significant amount of money in the long run.

Yes, there are challenges – these machines are still relatively expensive to purchase and maintain. They also require a significant amount of training and programming to operate effectively. Additionally, some customers may be hesitant to interact with robots, preferring the

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personal touch of human service. What robotics will do is impact overall hiring and employment levels in the industry, particularly for lower- skilled workers. While certain tasks may be automated, there will always be a need for human workers to provide a personal touch and handle more complex tasks. The use of robotics in hospitality is not limited to food service workers. There are already automated cleaning machines that can clean hotel rooms and public spaces with minimal human intervention. These machines are capable of working much faster and more efficiently than human cleaners, and they can also be programmed to detect and address specific areas that need attention. Supply chain is also being affected by automation through tasks such as inventory management and

hospitality news / May/June P 12

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