As the hospitality and retail industries wait for full recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, more robots are offering to help shorthanded staffs. Savioke last week announced Relay+, the latest generation of its service robot for hotels, offices, restaurants, and hospitals.
“Service robots are becoming increasingly common in the hospitality and foodservice industries,” stated Steve Cousins, founder and CEO of Savioke. “Our safe, efficient robots have made more than 850,000 deliveries since 2014. What's more, they can work 24/7/365, only need to be trained once, enable service staff to spend more time with customers, and heighten employee job satisfaction.”
Founded in 2014, Savioke provides autonomous service robots that it claimed work safely, securely, reliably, and contact-free in human environments. The Campbell, Calif.-based company said its systems are handling an increasing number of tasks across hospitality, healthcare, foodservice, and workspace environments.
Relay+ adds capabilities
Savioke said Relay+ builds on more than eight years of experience in operations around the world. The robot's fully autonomous “self-driving” capability enables it to safely and efficiently operate in crowded public environments, said the company.
New with Relay+ is the ability to ride elevators completely autonomously without the need for expensive elevator integration. Savioke said its “Rapid Install” capability enables the mobile robots to be fully operational and generating revenue in days rather than months.
In addition, Relay+ can be manufactured in one of three payload configurations:
- Relay+1 provides a single, lockable bin capable of carrying packages, food delivery bags, and larger items.
- Relay+4 offers 4 individually addressable drawers capable of serving to-go food efficiently.
- Relay+S provides open shelves that can be configured to a customer's needs.
Of these configurations, the first two feature bins that are lockable and accessibly by PIN code or badge scan. This maintains payload security, chain of custody, and user peace of mind in the integrity of their deliveries, said Savioke.
Savioke touts service robot benefits
“Relay+ is a game-changer in service automation,” asserted Bill Booth, vice president of sales and arketing at Savioke. “With its configurable payloads and quick-install capabilities, these robots can be integrated quickly into property operations and put to work quickly, generating top- and bottom-line benefits to customers.”
According to Savioke, the updated robot can do the following things:
- Seamlessly supplement staff amidst labor shortages, enabling existing personnel to focus on serving guests, customers, and employees
- Increase revenue by meeting and capitalizing on today's increased demands for personalized delivery
- Eliminate barriers to robot deployment with its Rapid Install capability
- Save money by reliably and consistently operating around the clock at low cost
- Offers a choice of three configurable payloads
Relay+ addresses industry challenges
The global hospitality industry has more than 1.4 million unfilled job openings from pre-pandemic levels, noted Savioke. Relay+ can offload room service and housekeeping delivery tasks from staffers, enabling them to focus on improving the customer experience and satisfaction. The robots are designed to operate safely in crowded public environments, reliably and efficiently completing their delivery tasks.
In addition, as people begin traveling more and office workers return to offices, they are increasingly expecting delivery services, said the company. Hotels, offices, and food-delivery providers can use Relay+ to ccapitalize on this demand and thus increase revenue, at low cost.
Several Relay customers have reported room and deskside delivery service revenues doubling of even tripling because of heightened demand and easy robot deliveries, said Savioke. Relay+ is also suitable for contact-free room service during ongoing COVID-19 concerns.
“Our Relay service robots, 'Alfred' and 'Geoffrey,' assist with monotonous day-to-day tasks, enhancing our ability to deliver snacks, food, drinks, towels, and a wide range of items,” said Vaughn Davis, general manager of the Dream Hollywood. “Most importantly, our robots bring joy to our guests, while enhancing the guest experience and increasing overall satisfaction.”
“Our Relay service robot—Botlr— is not just a novelty,” added Jason Ransom, general manager of Aloft Silicon Valley in Newark, Calif. “He cuts room service time by up to 80%, makes it easier to do our jobs, and does not accept tips.”
“Relay has boosted guest satisfaction, repeat business, and has contributed to higher occupancy rates, which means we can hire more people,” noted Tom Beedon, former general manager of The Residence Inn by Marriott LAX. “In the first year, we've ranked No. 1 in average room rate and No. 1 in RevPAR [revenue per available room] among the entire competitive set.”
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