It seems like every month there’s a new artificial intelligence discovery that is redefining the way the world works—even in the meetings industry.
In the past couple years, we’ve seen drones and chatbots taking over rather mundane tasks to make them more interactive and quirky. Robots are doing the same, and here are at least three ways they are redefining hospitality as we know it.
Hotel Security
At Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif., Robots Buddy and Rudy will become the first autonomous security robots in the country to work at a resort-casino. Hired in the nick of time, the two will help protect the resort’s expanded operations after a recent $300 million expansion. While Rudy will remain stationary, Buddy will rove about the property, providing a friendly physical security presence that talks to attendees and stands about 5.5-feet tall.
Airport Escort
The new Care-E robot from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will make flying a bit easier, by escorting attendees to their gates and even holding their bags. Plus, international travelers will find the robot extremely helpful because it can communicate in all languages through its LED display screen. The robot will be stationed after security checkpoints to help attendees navigate the airport. This month, Care-E will be tested at San Francisco International Airport, followed by tests at John F. Kennedy Airport next month, reported Travel+Leisure.
Friendly Concierge
Hilton was one of the first to introduce its 2.5-foot-tall robot concierge, Connie, in 2016, but since then, other hotel companies have followed suit. Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas’ Pepper stands 4-feet tall, and greets attendees at the hotel’s 23rd floor Sky Lobby. Brought into the hotel last fall with the title of “technical ambassador,” she can give directions or entertain by dancing or telling a story. Even in Italy, a hotel on Lake Garda introduced a robot named Robby Pepper this past spring to relive desk staff of answering basic questions in either Italian, English or German.
