Hotels using robots - Part 1
Hotel robots are transforming the hospitality industry. As these smart machines continue to evolve, there is no doubt that they will impact business processes and end-user experiences. This is why it is prudent for hotel management to understand the autonomous “smart” services they can provide, when considering implementing robots within their organizations.
What are the Advantages of Hotel Robots?
They provide a second-to-none level of in-house automation, enabling staff members to attend to other guest-related tasks. Hotel robots can perform around-the-clock functions, completing many requirements with a higher level of precision. The presence of robots provides a hotel with a genuinely cutting-edge appeal.
What are the Disadvantages of Hotel Robots?
A human will need to deal with some tasks (such as addressing a question that has not been pre-programmed by staff). There are still many guests who prefer the human touch during their stay - not appreciating the somewhat “cold” nature of even the most advanced hotel robots. Simply put, robots are incapable of providing a truly empathetic and personal touch…as yet.
What are Robots?
Generally, a robot is any device or system engineered to execute a specific set of tasks, such as incomparable efficiency and precision. Examples include robots intended to work within an assembly line and CNC machines designed to create extremely complex parts in a fraction of the time a human would otherwise require. Regarding the hotel industry, the primary purpose of robots is to enhance and expedite the overall guest experience. As we will see, this can be accomplished in several different ways.
Why are Hotel Robots Becoming More Popular?
There are several reasons for this trend. Hotels are under growing pressure from staff shortages, rising costs, and higher guest expectations. The American Hotel & Lodging Association reports that 77% of hotels were understaffed in 2024, with housekeeping and front desk roles the hardest to fill. At the same time, wages have increased by around 20% since 2019, while labor now represents 50–60% of total hotel operating costs. This makes it harder for hotels to stay profitable.
Guest behavior has also changed. Many travelers now expect faster service, contactless options, and consistent cleanliness at all hours. Hotels operate 24/7, but staffing levels rarely match that demand. Robots help fill this gap by working continuously, handling repetitive tasks like cleaning, delivery, and basic guest assistance. This allows hotel teams to focus on personalized service and problem-solving, while maintaining service standards and staying competitive in a challenging market.
Examples of Robots Being Used in Hotels
To greet guests in hotels: Sometimes referred to by titles such as “guest ambassadors“, these robots placed strategically answer common every day questions such as the location of elevators, give directions to a specific room, or even recommend certain types of food when staff are immediately unable to attend to guests’ needs during busier times . Some robots can recognize certain emotional cues and speak multiple languages, making it useful for chain hotels that operate in international destinations. Robots move and interact using onboard sensors and a touch screen interface. Some AI - powered robots located at the lobby entrance act as concierges and answer questions about hotel amenities, dining options, and local attractions using natural language.
To relieve housekeeping teams to focus on rooms and guest-facing tasks: Hotel robots have been designed to carry out generalized services, such as providing bins of fresh linen to the appropriate floors, thus reducing manual labour, resulting in guests receiving towels and sheets in a timely fashion thereby increasing overall satisfaction levels. Multifunctional cleaning robot can enter rooms once the guests have departed to ensure a clean environment for new arrivals. Using programmed routes, they can clean, sweep, vacuum, mop, and scrub floors, corridors, lobbies, and public areas autonomously without supervision, during off-peak hours. Using smart sensors they can navigate around people and obstacles. With built-in mapping and scheduling, some robots can cover large public spaces such as lobbies and hallways without needing constant direction. One type of robot has been specifically engineered to clean and disinfect services that might have been exposed to germs or bacteria. This is of critical importance in this day and age due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak.
To Deliver Room Service: Some robots have likewise been designed to provide bespoke room service options to guests. These tiny marvels will be supplied with food from the hotel kitchen before being delivered to a specific room. Not only does this ensure that all meals are provided fresh but it also serves guests quickly and supports staff, especially during peak hours and night shifts. Guests place an order, staffs load the robot, and it travels through corridors and elevators to the guest’s room. It then calls the room upon arrival and returns to base when finished.
To be continued
Source: External
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