Robots Make Their Mark in Tourism Across Various Sectors, From Food to Aviation
Robots. In the films, they range from the famous Terminator , starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, to the beloved residents of Robópolis, from the animation Robots . But their presence is not limited to the big screen. So on your next trip, you can find them in restaurants, hotels and even airports.
“Originally, robots were used mainly in industrial production, to perform repetitive tasks or tasks that did not require criticality. As this technology advanced, more sophisticated robots were developed for use in more complex situations,” says Lucia Silveira Santos, PhD student in Tourism at the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (EACH) at USP.
Where are they
Henn na Hotel — something like “weird hotel” in Portuguese —, in Japan, entered the Guinness Book as the world’s first robotic hotel in 2015. Although it has currently replaced many with human beings, robots had the function of receptionists, concierges and even inside the accommodations, controlling the lights, the TV and playing music.
In 2016, the Hilton hotel chain launched Connie , a robot concierge with artificial intelligence. He was able to answer guest questions and suggest solutions in real time. The hotel company Starwood also tested a robot butler — complete with bow tie and black and white body — that offered room service. The Yotel network has messenger robots to transport luggage, food and other things.
“Airports have been robotizing tasks such as cleaning, security and even passenger assistance. The South Korean Incheon airport has robots that help travelers find their boarding gates and transport food and drinks,” says Lucia. She adds that “service robots can also be used in gastronomy , acting as bartenders and waiters. Recently, they also started working as cooks.”
Additionally, applications such as chatbots and virtual assistants can help with translations and personalized recommendations, depending on the traveler’s preferences.
See you, baby?
Are robots here to stay? What does the future hold for this type of technology, especially applied to tourism? “Robotization in tourism offers benefits such as efficiency, precision and the ability to operate 24 hours a day. However, it is worrying that robots are replacing human jobs”, explains the researcher.
But Lucia adds that, on the other hand, “industry researchers believe that these new technologies can help with common tasks, increasing people’s available time, which could encourage the travel sector”. Even so, it remains important to observe the advancement of this technology and think about the ethical and social discussions that will certainly arise.