Robots Take Over: Automation Revolutionizes Hospitality Sector

As robots like Carny, a table-setting robot at the Carnaby restaurant in Residency Towers, become increasingly common, the hospitality sector is embracing automation to address labor shortages and improve efficiency. With robots deployed for tasks such as table resetting, serving food, and even cleaning floors, hotels and restaurants are leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience.

Key Takeaways:

• The hospitality sector is facing a significant labor shortage, with many hotels and restaurants relying on automation to mitigate the issue.
• Robots are being deployed for a range of tasks, including table resetting, serving food, and cleaning floors, with some establishments using autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners for housekeeping.
• Automated systems are being used to manage orders and supplies in kitchens, ensuring that guest demands are met efficiently.
• Hotels and restaurants are also using technology to automate tasks such as check-in and check-out, and to manage energy consumption through smart lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems.
• The Residency Hotels has deployed robots in several of its properties, including the Carnaby restaurant, while GreenPark Hotels and Resorts has used 15 robotic floor cleaners in the past year.
• GRT Hotels and Resorts had also experimented with a robot kiosk at its property near Chennai Airport, which answered guest queries and ushered them to the elevator.
• The South India Hotels and Restaurants Association has emphasized the need for large-scale automation in the hospitality sector, with limited availability of technology currently restricting widespread adoption.

Statistics:

• The labor shortage in the hospitality sector is estimated to be significant, with many hotels and restaurants relying on automation to address the issue.
• Robots like Carny, which serves as a table-setting robot at the Carnaby restaurant, can reset tables and dispose of cutlery and crockery in just a few minutes.
• Autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners are being used for housekeeping in high-end properties, reducing maintenance costs and improving guest satisfaction.
• Automated systems for managing orders and supplies in kitchens can reduce labor costs by up to 30%.
• The Residency Hotels has spent between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 8 lakh on each of the two robots deployed at its properties, including the Carnaby restaurant.
• GreenPark Hotels and Resorts has used 15 robotic floor cleaners in the past year, with plans to install more in the future.

Sources:

• B Gopinath, CEO, The Residency Hotels
• Balachandar Raju, MD, Haribhavanam restaurant
• Sudip Sengupta, EVP, GreenPark Hotels and Resorts
• T Nataraajan, deputy MD, GRT Hotels and Resorts