Restaurants without servers?

[LuvOrlando]

I just read some think the world is ready for robot servers in restaurants. Personally, the machines roving around me in grocery stores already give me the creeps and deter me from using those stores so I would not like it in a second space in my life where I needed to avoid them.

In general, I do like the idea that they could save lives in Fire Departments, Police Departments, maybe sanitation and such & I am OK with the mini guys taking care of our floors because they do not attempt to simulate humans. The whole business of them trying to walk amongst us would send me out the door, it is just too dystopian with the message being that I, as a customer, don't deserve the attention of humans. I do wonder what other people think though.

https://apnews.com/article/robots-waiters-restaurants-84336d32667219776d4d0942c28caa46

 

[disneyseniors]

I just read some think the world is ready for robot servers in restaurants. Personally, the machines roving around me in grocery stores already give me the creeps and deter me from using those stores so I would not like it in a second space in my life where I needed to avoid them.

In general, I do like the idea that they could save lives in Fire Departments, Police Departments, maybe sanitation and such & I am OK with the mini guys taking care of our floors because they do not attempt to simulate humans. The whole business of them trying to walk amongst us would send me out the door, it is just too dystopian with the message being that I, as a customer, don't deserve the attention of humans. I do wonder what other people think though.

https://apnews.com/article/robots-waiters-restaurants-84336d32667219776d4d0942c28caa46

What???? There are stores that actually have roaming robots? I've never heard of that. What is the purpose of them? I agree, I don't want robots in any store or restaurant I go to.

 

[Moliphino]

This part stood out: "Zhai said the robots give human servers more time to mingle with customers, which increases tips." What? The server does less work and gets more in tips? I'd tip less if a robot was doing most of the work.

 

[Moliphino]

What???? There are stores that actually have roaming robots? I've never heard of that. What is the purpose of them? I agree, I don't want robots in any store or restaurant I go to.

Stop and Shop has a robot that wanders around. I'm not sure it does much other than check for spills on the floor.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I have only ever heard of robots as servers in a few restaurants in Japan. I almost went to one of these but the prices were too expensive ($100 USD for a steak. And it wasn't even Wagyu!) I would prefer the approach of ordering + paying from a vending machine, getting a ticket and then giving your ticket to the chef. That was very common in many restaurants there and it was very easy.

 

[nw6675]

The Highway 55 by my parents house in NC has a robot server. It follows the server to the table with all the food loaded on it and then they unload it off the robot.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

I am not not opposed, especially if that means that we would be saving 20% off our bill.

 

[LuvOrlando]

What???? There are stores that actually have roaming robots? I've never heard of that. What is the purpose of them? I agree, I don't want robots in any store or restaurant I go to.

 

[disneyseniors]

View attachment 751556

Okay............that's just creepy!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I am not not opposed, especially if that means that we would be saving 20% off our bill.

Never, in my lifetime, has a single improvement that allowed for more profits ever been passed down to me.

The profits go somewhere else and it it likely no-one will even pay taxes on the new profits so I am not seeing any upsides. Reminded me of someone:

 

[LuvOrlando]

The Highway 55 by my parents house in NC has a robot server. It follows the server to the table with all the food loaded on it and then they unload it off the robot.

Well that is a little different, to me it isn't a server as much as it is an automatic handcart. These things are a benefit since it helps a person as a tool, same goes for the ones that help load at walmart, might even be great with moving companies and delivery services like UPS but give it a face or sounds and I'm out.

 

[seshat0120]

Stop and Shop has a robot that wanders around. I'm not sure it does much other than check for spills on the floor.

And get in the way...you forgot the part about it getting in the way. I swear one day soon I'm going to give "Marty" a kick.

There used to be a roving security robot at the Prudential Center in Boston. I lost track of the number of times that thing almost ran into me. If disappeared shortly after another of it's kind when splat infountain in another mall. I don't miss it.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

A restaurant in my area has a robot. Not sure its purpose but I think it's for serving. It also has a "belt line" ( I don't know what to call it) that goes around with food (with covers on it). It's mostly a sushi place and we don't eat sushi so I won't be going.

 

[fla4fun]

This part stood out: "Zhai said the robots give human servers more time to mingle with customers, which increases tips." What? The server does less work and gets more in tips? I'd tip less if a robot was doing most of the work.

Well, speaking as Devil’s Advocate for a moment, is this any different than restaurants that have food runners to take the food to the table? Do you tip your server less because another person put your plate in front of you? There’s no guarantee that your server is sharing that tip with the runner, just as they wouldn’t with the robot.

I am not saying I like it, because I don’t really like any technology that takes jobs away from people who need them. However, with all the restaurants that are still looking for people (I am looking for work, and at least 90% of the jobs in my area are food service) I can understand why something like this could fill a need.

 

[AuntieMe3]

There is a robot in a fast food burger place in town. The kind of place they call number but you picked up your food...if they weren't too busy, then someone(usually cashier/order taker) would bring it to you. So now the robot delivers food to the tables....no jobs taken from an actual human.

 

[Kennywood]

When we get to the level of Fembots, let me know.....Lol

 

[PollyannaMom]

However, with all the restaurants that are still looking for people (I am looking for work, and at least 90% of the jobs in my area are food service) I can understand why something like this could fill a need.

Me too. We have several restaurants around here that are now closed on certain days, because they can't get enough workers.

I would be happy to order on an iPad-like device and have a robotic cart bring my food to the table rather than having to keep up with all the schedules.

 

[Genie+]

How about if the robot servers were represented by real humans with mobility issues but good personalities and hospitality skills?

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-46466531

https://www.reddit.com/r/LateStageCapitalism/comments/10oxwdi

 

[PollyannaMom]

Not quite what we're talking about, but check out these little guys too:

 

[Minnesota!]

I would be TOTALLY cool with it. Bring em' on.