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Minor Miracle: Robots are slowly becoming waitstaff in restaurants and will eventually cook as well
Alphadroid, a robotics firm in India, is attempting to bring robotics into the Indian hospitality industry, including hotels and upscale restaurants. But what obstacles does a Robotics as a Service (RaaS) business encounter in India? Sanjeev Kumar, the creator of Alphadroid, elaborates.
Restaurant-goers in India have high standards. They seek more than just delicious, visually appealing meals; they crave uniqueness. Above all, the entire dining experience must meet lofty expectations. This is where robots come into play in the food service and hospitality sectors.
The next time you dine at a upscale, unfamiliar restaurant in India, don't be shocked if a robot arrives to take your order, or even serves as your waiter. It's possible that they were installed by an Indian firm, Alphadroid.
The year 2023 was dominated by Artificial Intelligence, but it appears that 2024 is gearing up to be the year of robotics. With creations such as Figure's humanoid robot, Figure 01, Tesla's Optimus, and nearly all of Boston Dynamics' projects, robots are definitely becoming more fascinating and, possibly, conventional. NVIDIA also intends to join the trend and has revealed a platform for robotics development using its software and applications.
Numerous startups in India are diligently striving to create a wholly Indian-made robot. Meanwhile, companies such as Alphadroid are inventing clever methods to incorporate existing robotic technology into our everyday world. Alphadroid, a company offering Robotics as a Service (RaaS), aims to significantly shake up the hospitality and healthcare sectors with their array of robots focused on mobility.
We had a conversation with Sanjeev Kumar, the creator of Alphadroid, for a brief discussion about his experience managing a robotics firm in India, the sort of rules that robotics start-ups have to comply with, and the possibility of having our food fully cooked and served by a robotic chef in about ten years. Here are the summarized key points:
What are the difficulties encountered when establishing a robotics company in India, particularly one that incorporates a service such as food and dining? The broader sector we are focusing on is hospitality and front office management, including restaurants, hotels, and hospitals. These areas are only slightly supported by digital technology, hence, they present numerous opportunities. We can introduce technology to enhance efficiency and customer service in these spaces.
This is how we initiated Alphadroid and our self-directed mobility initiative in these areas. Currently, our main hurdle is to boost recognition and help restaurants and similar businesses in these industries comprehend the potential benefits of using robotics and AI.
When talking about handling food and dining, there are not many legal or regulatory restrictions. The basic rules that most tech companies follow also apply to us. However, I believe that the greatest hurdle is to make the government and the hospitality industry realize the potential of robotics in this field, and understand the full range of possibilities. Another key challenge is to train the personnel and alleviate any apprehensions they may have about robots taking over human jobs. These are the crucial issues.
What sort of rules must a RaaS service provider be aware of in India? Are there any obstacles? The government has launched numerous programs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, recently declared several initiatives at a function in Lucknow. The Prime Minister is highly knowledgeable and up-to-date in matters concerning robotics and AI.
Indian policies and rules are not yet fully equipped to handle the latest technological advancements. There are numerous areas that require attention and improvement. Despite this, numerous medium, small, and micro enterprises (MSMEs) along with other groups are collaborating with the government. Their focus is primarily on data, human-machine interactions, safety, and insurance amongst other aspects.
As startups, our responsibility is to incorporate fundamental provisions in our initial operations. The concept is that we address certain aspects and standardize them before the government needs to establish regulations. Critical areas such as human safety, health and sanitation, along with data privacy would serve as perfect examples.
At present, Alphadroid is solely focused on servicing the front end of the service industries. Is there any thought of expanding beyond this? Are there other business models or sectors under consideration? This is merely the initial phase. Furthermore, we decidedly aim to remain within the service sector, with a strong focus on areas such as hospitality, healthcare and other related fields. Additionally, there are two main elements of robotics that extend beyond AI.
The initial aspect is mobility, providing your device with movement capacity, while the second is the arm functionality, enabling you to grasp items, exert a pull or hoist things, as well as perform all other actions.
We began by focusing on the mobility aspect, developing our autonomous mobile robot. We then added a top structure designed for use in restaurants, hotels, and similar environments. We're in the process of creating additional structures to adapt our robots for use in retail stores and hospitals. We plan to continue progressing in this area of robotics. Ultimately, our goal is to combine mobility and manipulative capabilities to achieve comprehensive automation.
Robots have already taken over the roles of waitstaff and sometimes even bartenders in the restaurant industry. Could they potentially replace kitchen staff like chefs or line cooks in the future too? Many of the robotic innovations we see on the internet are just successful prototypes and not ready for mass production. The industry is currently undergoing significant changes. These transformations will help us understand the potential role of robots in this scenario and how many responsibilities we can delegate to them.
Will robots immediately take over the roles of chefs? Or will they aid individuals in crucial tasks? I believe that in some areas, they will.
Considering cloud kitchens, or any establishment with a fixed, straightforward menu and explicit recipes, machines are poised to replace the role of line chefs and cooks. In this context, it's quite plausible that a cloud kitchen could primarily be operated by robots.
In terms of fully operational robotic kitchens, we're likely a few years out. I can't envision it becoming a reality for another seven to 10 years. However, it's important to note that robots won't completely take over from humans. They will serve to assist and enhance human efforts.
What role do Alphadroid's robots play in enhancing the dining experience in restaurants? Have you noticed any shifts in customer behavior? There are two facets to this. We conducted a comprehensive analysis, beginning with a customer either making a reservation or entering the restaurant, tracking how they order their food, and observing how they accept the meals.
There are specific aspects where customers require human engagement, particularly in a country like India, where human interaction is crucial. A majority of individuals prefer not to use QR codes for ordering unless it involves extremely basic items or beverages.
Additionally, Indian diners have specific tastes and frequently request adjustments such as the level of spice in their food. They usually prefer to communicate these specifications to a human. However, after placing their order, they want their food served promptly, they trust the robot to maintain better cleanliness, and they want their bills to be ready swiftly. In these aspects, they feel a robotic server is superior.
Another consideration is customer reviews. It's been observed that clients who feel uncomfortable providing candid feedback directly to employees, find it less awkward to share their opinions with a robot.
What has been the reaction from restaurant employees where Alphadroid has been implemented? We initiated our tests last year, launching the robot in October. Throughout the testing phase, we were interested in observing the conduct of the restaurant workers, administration, and patrons.
Surprisingly, the initial reaction from every employee was apprehension. They felt uneasy and were against the introduction of such technology into the company. However, that feeling only lasted for a few hours. Once we initiated the test phase, involved them and had them manage the robots, they needed only about half an hour to grasp the basics and start utilizing it.
We observed a significant change in attitude towards the integration of technology, from initial reluctance to an understanding that these technologies won't supplant them. The pilot test demonstrated to them that robots could aid them in concentrating on their core tasks. Hence, despite some initial hiccups, the overall feedback was quite favorable.
How did the customers react? Generally, the field of robotics is known for overpromising and underperforming. People often associate robots with those portrayed in films, expecting a complete revamp of the dining experience. However, our aim is not to alter the way a restaurant operates. Instead, we aim to introduce technology that seamlessly integrates with the existing business framework and begins to offer enhanced value.
Naturally, their initial encounter with the robot leaves them somewhat spellbound. They become captivated when they observe a robot serving food at their table and start capturing this unique moment on their phones. They grow interested in engaging with the robot. However, this novelty soon fades and things start feeling routine, just as they should. After the initial excitement of having a robot deliver their meals, they begin to relax and gain confidence in handling the robot.
After the robot delivers the meals, patrons help themselves, as most are familiar with how self-service and automation operate and understand its purpose. Generally, the feedback has been favorable, even though there was a short adjustment period.
India boasts a vast workforce. How has the reception been for Alphadroid in this context? When I speak with Quick Service Restaurants or second or third-tier eateries, their first concern is often financial. They want to know the price, the initial investment, and whether these robots will be more cost-effective than their existing employees. They need to comprehend the benefits of robotics and the enhancements from digitization within a context they're comfortable with.
When I begin conversations with four-star or five-star establishments, they swiftly understand that they will obtain enhanced productivity and customer satisfaction, as well as assistance with several employee health aspects.
The majority of individuals employed in the hospitality industry, specifically in hotels and restaurants, are often discontent and facing difficulties, which in turn negatively impacts these establishments. Additionally, these workers are subjected to various strenuous health-related issues due to the physical demands of their jobs, such as carrying heavy kitchenware and maintaining a fast pace.
They are attempting to maintain equilibrium. They're introducing automation, which means there will be some kind of change among different categories.
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