A trend you'll never see
Next up on the technology trend radar for hotels is something you’ll never see but are guaranteed to step on. Hidden under the carpet, stickers containing RFID (radio frequency ID) sensors embedded into the carpet and triggered by a guest’s movement and weight could very well be the next tech trend.
According to what’s-next-rumor-mill, if you haven’t heard about multi-functioning intelligent floors, you will soon. The innovation by the world's largest designer and maker of carpet tile, Interface Floor Commercial Inc., caught the eyes of Starwood, who is test-driving the concept and if their wishes come true, Aloft properties across the country will be embedding the stickers into their carpeting across the country.
These ‘gotta-see-it-to-believe-it’ Smart Carpets go above and beyond detecting temperature and moisture in rooms as they have the almost uncomprehendable ability to track your location via a mobile app and direct you from the elevator to your room door via under-carpet lighting.
They also have the capacity to assist in clearing out that unsightly appearance on the floors when guests leave their disheveled room service trays outside their door. A simple ping to housekeeping or room service will now alert the department to send someone to retrieve the trays!
Inside the guestroom, guests can relinquish the fear of waking in the middle of the night bumping into furniture as sensors placed near the bed will activate accent lighting or even a night light in the bathroom to guide your way.
With keyless entry systems, robot butlers, smart mirrors and now smart floors, I ask myself if the use of technology to improve the guest experience is bringing the future closer than we think and can technology still be termed “a trend?” What could possibly be next and, specifically speaking, what are your thoughts on the multi-functional intelligent floor?
Sherri Scheck-Merrill, vice president, Amenity Services, Tustin, California
Editors Note: Would help avoiding kicking furniture when going to the toilet in the dark and guests who keep a room light on during the night need no longer do so. |
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