Restaurants without servers?

[LuvOrlando]

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

The looks like a roving cooler which would be great at tailgates!

 

[Moliphino]

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.

Tips are usually shared with bussers, bartenders, etc. I don't think they're sharing with a robot.
I don't have an issue with the robots, it's the idea that servers would be tipped more when humans (server, busser) are doing less work that rubbed me the wrong way. They expect more money because they have more time to chat?

 

[LuvOrlando]

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

I know you are kidding or you would be aware but there is a collection of freaks way ahead of you on this, but that is gross topic I would not engage in at all

 

[PrincessShmoo]

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.

We frequently run across robots in our local Sam's club while shopping. One of them runs up and down the aisles scanning bar codes (inventory, I figure), an another one that's cleaning the floors.

 

[soccerdad72]

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

There's a few Ohio schools that use those as well - they're pretty cool to watch in action.

I haven't been to a restaurant with robots yet, but if it helps them with efficiency, I'm all for it. Then again, the less people I generally have to deal with on a daily basis, the better, IMO

 

[Kennywood]

Personally, I welcome our robotic overlords.

 

[tvguy]

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.

Restaurant near here has had one for two years now.
https://www.kcra.com/article/stockton-restaurants-robotic-food-runner-seeking-new-staff/37136335

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/...obot/103-d8d6d92a-c3f2-42cb-93d8-52882d74e89c

 

[hopemax]

I am of the opinion that not all labor needs to be done by humans. Especially, when Labor and Capital can't reach an agreement on what a proper wage should be. Humans, even low skilled humans, have more choices in job opportunities and that's putting economic pressure on employers who rely on low wage, low skilled labor. IMO, the answer is not to force humans into low wage jobs simply because "that's the way it always has been." But to figure out what jobs, humans don't want to do at the wage offered, and businesses are struggling to afford and invest in the ways to automate them. Transition is never frictionless, and I'm sure if we asked people in previous generations if they would like to swap their horse for an automobile, they would choose to stick with the horse, and many other ways people were resistant to change.

If I never had to wait for my server to refill my drink or to bring the check again, because a robot was doing it, I would be a happier person. We loved the increase in options in restaurants where you can just scan the QR code on the table, pay and be on your way. Some places have taken them away, or it doesn't work right, and every time we are hanging around 15 minutes longer than we want to be... it's annoying.

 

[hopemax]

Tips are usually shared with bussers, bartenders, etc. I don't think they're sharing with a robot.
I don't have an issue with the robots, it's the idea that servers would be tipped more when humans (server, busser) are doing less work that rubbed me the wrong way. They expect more money because they have more time to chat?

I think it's more tips improved because by eliminating the tasks that a robot could do, the humans had more time to do the things the robot can't. That may be chit-chat, but it may be things like simply being able to check-in more frequently at a table if the diners have questions about the menu, a problem with their meal, want to add to their order, request a condiment or more bread, etc. Humans do tip more if they get their needs attended to quickly, and not sitting and waiting because the server is overloaded.

Now, knowing how humans work... I kind of expect these benefits to be limited and management would eventually just assign servers more tables in the long term, and then people are back to waiting for their server to show up.

 

[shh]

I haven't been to a restaurant with robots yet, but if it helps them with efficiency, I'm all for it. Then again, the less people I generally have to deal with on a daily basis, the better, IMO

+1 Honestly...the last two times I dined out, the servers looked like they'd rather be anywhere else....I really felt as if we were bothering them. Robot servers are always in a good mood as long as they're programmed that way - lol. Also, with robot servers, maybe the whole crazy US tipping culture might calm down one day. (and this is from someone who tips 20-30% on average).

 

[slo]

Not a fan of taking jobs away from people, so I wouldn’t eat at a restaurant with robot servers

In regards to robots at grocery stores….the Meijer by me has one - scared the out of me the first time. I was there crazy early due to COVID times and I was looking down at my list and slowly walking and all of a sudden this robot is in front me and saying “youhoo”. Totally freaked me out. I was curious and asked an employee about it and they said it checks inventory.

 

[Magical2017]

I guess that is the way things are heading. Personally, I keep thinking of all the AI advancements and movies like I Robot and The Matrix but I love a good sci-fi scare.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Sounds like the beginning of a Stephen King movie.

 

[mrodgers]

Sounds like the beginning of a Stephen King movie.

Far worse. Stephen King wrote fictional novels. Terminator is a prophetic documentary

 

[mom2rtk]

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.

Yet some think we should have self driving cars on the roads.

 

[PollyannaMom]

In regards to robots at grocery stores….the Meijer by me has one - scared the out of me the first time. I was there crazy early due to COVID times and I was looking down at my list and slowly walking and all of a sudden this robot is in front me and saying “youhoo”. Totally freaked me out. I was curious and asked an employee about it and they said it checks inventory.

The Stop & Shop around here has one. I rarely go there, as there are two stores as close or closer that I like better, but when I have, I agree - the robot kind of freaks me out.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I am of the opinion that not all labor needs to be done by humans. Especially, when Labor and Capital can't reach an agreement on what a proper wage should be. Humans, even low skilled humans, have more choices in job opportunities and that's putting economic pressure on employers who rely on low wage, low skilled labor. IMO, the answer is not to force humans into low wage jobs simply because "that's the way it always has been." But to figure out what jobs, humans don't want to do at the wage offered, and businesses are struggling to afford and invest in the ways to automate them. Transition is never frictionless, and I'm sure if we asked people in previous generations if they would like to swap their horse for an automobile, they would choose to stick with the horse, and many other ways people were resistant to change.

If I never had to wait for my server to refill my drink or to bring the check again, because a robot was doing it, I would be a happier person. We loved the increase in options in restaurants where you can just scan the QR code on the table, pay and be on your way. Some places have taken them away, or it doesn't work right, and every time we are hanging around 15 minutes longer than we want to be... it's annoying.

If one doesn't employ humans they become a taker instead of a participant in a symbiotic system & the system becomes destabilized until there is no-one in the system who can buy the services. Humans need income to participate in the system, machines do not participate, they do not want or need stuff so they do not buy stuff - they are a siphon. A thing that only takes is a parasite.

 

[tvguy]

Not a fan of taking jobs away from people, so I wouldn’t eat at a restaurant with robot servers

Except, at least currently, these are jobs that they can't fill because people don't want to do them. There are still a few restaurants around here that haven't reopened the dine in portion of their restaurant because they can't find enough people to staff it.

 

[hopemax]

If one doesn't employ humans they become a taker instead of a participant in a symbiotic system & the system becomes destabilized until there is no-one in the system who can buy the services. Humans need income to participate in the system, machines do not participate, they do not want or need stuff so they do not buy stuff - they are a siphon. A thing that only takes is a parasite.

No where did I say humans weren’t working. The convenience and gig economies have grown since pre-pandemic. Providing employment opportunities for workers to change jobs. Not go without one.

 

[mom2rtk]

No where did I say humans weren’t working. The convenience and gig economies have grown since pre-pandemic. Providing employment opportunities for workers to change jobs. Not go without one.

Except lots of people are indeed not working. Workforce participation level is down.