'Relay,' an autonomous robot has been hired as the newest bell boy at Japan's Prince Hotel. The indoor delivery robot aims to permanently alter the hospitality industry by serving as the first droid with its customer service-specific responsibilities.
Relay will roll around the hotel, delivering room service to guests as well as carrying and storing luggage. The robot serves as an effective method of customer service which limits potentially unpleasant interactions, while ensuring a greater sense of privacy that humans can't promise. The robot is capable of steering itself throughout the hotel while avoiding obstacles and can board the elevator with minor human interference.
The Prince Hotel plans to fully integrate Relay by 2019 and is currently undergoing prototype testing.
Autonomous Hotel-Roaming Robots
'Relay' is Japan's Prince Hotel's Newest Bell Boy
Trend Themes
1. Autonomous Robot Staff - The use of autonomous robots for hotel and customer service industry staff can increase efficiency while reducing opportunity for unpleasant interactions.
2. Customer Service Robotics - Robotics designed for customer service is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the hospitality and service industry.
3. Indoor Delivery Robotics in Service Industry - Indoor delivery robotics can change the way delivery, transportation and storage of goods are handled in the hospitality and service industry.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality Industry - Autonomous robot staff, like Relay, can revolutionize the hospitality industry by automating and optimizing customer service, while cutting down cost, time and human error.
2. Customer Service Industry - Indoor delivery robotics bring about the possibility of customer service being taken to the next level creating disruption in the hotel guest experience, retail delivery, and more.
3. Robot Manufacturing Industry - The creation of industry-specific autonomous robots, like Relay, creates opportunities for the robot manufacturing industry and can potentially disrupt job markets in other industries.