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Minor Miracle: Robots are gradually replacing human waitstaff in eateries, and will soon be cooking meals too
Alphadroid, an Indian robotics firm, is striving to incorporate robotics into India's luxury hospitality industry, including hotels and upscale restaurants. What kind of obstacles does a Robotics as a Service (RaaS) provider encounter in India? Sanjeev Kumar, the creator of Alphadroid, provides insights.
Restaurant-goers in India have very high standards. They desire more than simply delicious, aesthetically pleasing meals – they crave novelty. Above all, the dining out experience must exceed their lofty expectations. This is where robots in the food service and hospitality sectors come into play.
The next time you dine at a fancy, new restaurant in India, don't be shocked if a robot approaches to take your order, or even serves as your waiter. It's likely that they were installed by an Indian firm, Alphadroid.
While 2023 was dominated by artificial intelligence, it's predicted that 2024 will be the year of robotics. The development of Figure's humanoid robot, Figure 01, Tesla's Optimus, and nearly all creations of Boston Dynamics indicate that robotics is gaining popularity and potentially becoming commonplace. In fact, NVIDIA is also hopping on the bandwagon and has stated its intentions to introduce a platform for robot development using its software and resources.
Numerous startups in India are diligently striving to create a wholly Indian-originated robot. Meanwhile, companies such as Alphadroid are cleverly finding methods to incorporate pre-existing robotic technology into our familiar world. Alphadroid, a Robotics as a Service (RaaS) company, aspires to significantly impact the hospitality and healthcare sectors by utilizing their array of movement-oriented robots.
We had a brief discussion with Sanjeev Kumar, the person behind Alphadroid, to understand the experience of operating a robotics firm in India, the types of regulations encountered by startups in the robotics industry, and the possibility of having our meals entirely cooked and served by a robot chef in about ten years. Here are the edited highlights:
What are the difficulties in establishing a robotics company in India, particularly one that incorporates a service such as food and dining? The broader sector we're focusing on is hospitality and front office management, including restaurants, hotels, and hospitals. These areas are only slightly digitized, hence offering numerous possibilities where technology can be utilized to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.
This is how we initiated Alphadroid and our self-governing mobility effort in these domains. At present, the predominant hurdle is to enhance consciousness and assist eateries and similar enterprises in these industries to comprehend the opportunities offered by robotics and AI.
When it comes to food and dining, there aren't many legal or regulatory obstacles to tackle. We must adhere to a few basic rules that most tech firms are subject to. I believe our biggest task is to demonstrate to the government and the hospitality industry the potential of robotics in this field. Additionally, we need to assure employees and dispel any concerns they might have about robots taking over their jobs. These are our main challenges.
What kind of rules must a RaaS service provider adhere to in India? Are they faced with any difficulties? The government has implemented several initiatives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, recently unveiled a range of these initiatives at an event in Lucknow. The Prime Minister is keenly focused on the areas of robotics and AI.
Indian regulations and policies are not currently equipped to handle the latest advancements in technology. There are numerous areas of ambiguity that require attention and several elements that need improvement. Nonetheless, many Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) and other groups are collaborating with the government on key issues like data handling, human-machine interfaces, safety measures, and insurance, among others.
Our responsibility as emerging businesses is to incorporate essential elements from the outset. The goal is to address and standardize certain key elements before the government steps in with regulations. This includes vital areas such as human safety, health and cleanliness, and data protection, to name a few.
At present, Alphadroid is solely focusing on the forefront of the service sectors. Do you have any intentions to expand further? Are there any other sectors or models you're considering? This is merely the beginning. Furthermore, we have a specific interest in remaining within the service industry, particularly in areas like hospitality or healthcare and others that align with them. Therefore, there are two main elements of robotics separate from AI.
The initial aspect is maneuverability, enabling your device to shift positions, while the second is the arm function that permits you to grab objects, draw or raise items, and perform all other tasks.
We began by focusing on the mobility aspect, creating our autonomous mobile robot. We then added an upper structure to this robot, designed to be suitable for environments like restaurants and hotels. We're now working on additional structures for models that will allow our robots to work in retail stores and hospitals. We plan to continue in this trajectory on our robotics path. However, our ultimate goal is to achieve a stage where the robot's mobility and arms can provide complete automation.
It's evident that robots have taken over the roles of waitstaff and, to some degree, bartenders in various eateries. Could we foresee them also taking over the roles of chefs or kitchen staff in the future? Much of what we encounter online are well-crafted conceptual models rather than finalized products. The industry is experiencing a significant shift. These transformations will determine the extent to which robots can be incorporated in such environments and how much responsibility we can delegate to them.
Will robots instantly take over the roles of chefs? Or will they assist humans in some essential tasks? I believe they will in specific areas.
Using cloud kitchens as a case in point, or any establishment with a fixed, precise menu, along with straightforward recipes, machinery would assume the responsibilities of sous chefs and kitchen staff. Under these conditions, it's quite likely that cloud kitchens will be predominantly operated by robots.
It's likely to take several more years before we see robots frequenting active kitchens. I believe this won't truly be a reality for another seven to ten years. However, it's important to note that robots aren't going to fully take over from humans. Instead, they will serve as a supportive resource to human efforts.
What role do Alphadroid's robots play in enhancing the dining experience in restaurants? Have you noticed any changes in customer behavior? There were dual aspects to our approach. We carried out a comprehensive analysis, beginning with the customer, whether they are making a reservation or just walking in, how they order their meals and how they are served.
We've identified specific aspects in which restaurant-goers require human communication, particularly in a country such as India. The majority of individuals are not fond of using QR codes to order unless the items are extremely standard, basic, or beverages.
In India, restaurant-goers have distinct tastes and usually request modifications to aspects such as the food's heat level. They favor human interaction for this customization process. Nonetheless, after placing their orders, they desire swift delivery to their tables, have faith in the cleanliness standards of robots, and want quick billing. They think a robotic server is more efficient for these tasks.
Another element to consider is customer feedback. It's been observed that customers who may feel uncomfortable providing straightforward feedback to personnel, tend to find it less awkward when providing this feedback to a robot.
What was the reaction of restaurant employees where Alphadroid was implemented? We initiated our tests last year, introducing the robot in October. During the testing phase, we were interested in observing the behavior of the restaurant staff, management, and patrons.
Surprisingly, the initial reaction from all employees was one of apprehension. They were worried and put off by the thought of introducing this kind of technology into the companies. Yet, this feeling was short-lived. Once we began the test phase and involved them in operating the robots, they required roughly half an hour to understand their functions and begin utilizing them.
We observed a significant transition from reluctance in embracing the new technology to an understanding that these advancements won't supplant them. The test phase helped them understand that the robots would aid in prioritizing their tasks. Thus, despite some initial hiccups, the feedback was generally favourable.
So, what was the reaction of the customers? The field of robotics frequently tends to overpromise and underperform. When individuals picture robots, they often imagine the ones they've seen in films. They typically believe that robots will radically transform the dining experience. However, that's not our goal; we're not trying to alter the way restaurants operate. Instead, we're merely integrating technology that aligns with the restaurant's current setup and begins to provide improved value.
Naturally, the initial sight of the robot leaves them somewhat fascinated. They start capturing the moment on their phones when they witness a robot serving food at their table. They also show interest in engaging with the robot. However, it doesn't take long for this novelty to become routine, just as expected. After the initial excitement of having their food served by a robot, they become more at ease and confident in handling the robot.
When the robot delivers the food, customers help themselves as they typically understand the concept of self-service and how automated systems operate. In general, feedback has been favorable, even though there was a slight adjustment period.
India presents a labor-rich market. How has Alphadroid been perceived in this context? When I converse with Quick Service Restaurants or second or third tier restaurants, their primary concern is typically about the financial implications – the cost, the initial investment, and whether these robots will be a more cost-effective option compared to their existing workforce. This is to ensure they grasp the significance of robotics and efficiency as key aspects of digitalization, in a context they are most familiar with.
As soon as I begin discussions with certain high-end properties, they rapidly understand that they can achieve improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, while also providing support for several health aspects of their staff.
The majority of individuals employed in the hospitality industry, specifically hotels and restaurants, often experience dissatisfaction and hardship, leading to a negative impact on the businesses. Additionally, the physical demands of such jobs, including tasks like lifting heavy items or being constantly on the move, often lead to serious health issues among these workers.
They are the individuals striving to maintain equilibrium. They aim to introduce automation, leading to a sort of transformation occurring among various categories.
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