Robot fledgling lines have begun to fill jobs in understaffed hotels — and labor groups are warning.
From Mandarin Oriental in Boston to Holiday Inn Express in Redwood City, California, several hotels across the United States look to robots to provide guest services, usually performed by human employees. I'm starting to turn.
I need a spare towel. Forget your shampoo. Order takeaway from UberEats. Delivered by robots with names such as Alfred, Jeffrey, Alina, and Mobi. Instead of knocking on the door on arrival, you usually ping the phone.
The rolling bot is decorated with bow tie-like decals and wears vinyl wrap that resembles a hotel uniform. They even make jokes on digital screens. (What does the robot do on holidays? Charge the battery. How does the robot eat M&Ms. in megabytes?)
Trade unions are robots But the hotel is weird, there are far fewer robot jokes. Organizers fear that at least 200 up-and-comingtroopsof automata nationwide are threatening the growth and replacement of members who pay membership fees. Despite the recent nationwide labor shortages that have caused divisions in other areas, this problem is emerging in the hospitality industry. This includesconsultations between port operators whose labor contracts expired on 1 July and dock workers on the West Coast.
“We are not going to stop the new technology,” says Unite Here, which represents 300,000 hospitality workers across the United States and Canada. "But the question is, will you be part of the process or will you be run over by the process?"
Campbell, CA Relay Robotics units are about R2-sized-D2 in "Star Wars". In addition to its quirky name, the robot has a storage box at the top with a lid that allows you to lock items while gliding through lobbies and hallways. Sensors prevent collisions with guests and housekeeping carts.
As the pandemic declines and tourism resumes, hotels are facing a serious labor force tightness, so adding robots to salaries is not too difficult. According to the American Hotel &Accommodation Association, advocates of high-tech strategies say the hospitality industry has lost 1.3 million jobs in the last two years. According to industry groups, about 49% of hotel owners say their property is "significantly understaffed."
Bourne Davis, General Manager of the Dream Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, has added two relay robots. Alfred and Jeffrey – From September 2020 on property to make up for the shortfall.
"Some people don't want to work in a hotel"Davis added.
By Dream Hotel Group Davis, who owns 30 hotels around the world In the future, the hotel will be devoted to robotics. "Most of our new properties have robots, which are becoming part of our service culture," he said.
The cost of leasing a relay robot is about $ 2,000 a month. RivalsBear Robotics,are companies in Redwood City, California that focus primarily on the restaurant industry, and this year announced a model called Servi, which also targets hotels. With a five-year history, the company has raised a total of $ 112 million, including $ 81 million in March.
"We are also considering developing a vacuum cleaner robot that can clean the hallways," Relay Robotics CEO Michael O'Donnell told The Post.
It is not clear how many hotel facilities have bear room service robots. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
Unions pose a major obstacle to adoption. In New York City, where the New York Hotel and Gaming Trade Council dominates the industry, there seems to be only one hotel in Times Square, the 130-room Luma Hotel, with a relay-provided room service robot.
O'Donnell, New York is a challenge.
"We were more successful at non-union hotels," O'Donnell said. "We have to think about how to interact with the union," he added, suggesting that his company's robots may one day pay the union fee or share part of the lease fee with the union.
Unite Here is about to throw a wrench into adoption in the industry for robots and other technologies that are considered threatening their survival. Labor contracts with hotels in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, and Hawaii require unions to notify 180 days in advance before new technologies are introduced, Taylor said.
"During COVID, the hotel didn't intend to spend capital on robots, but as the industry recovers, we'll see more," Taylor predicts, front. Refers to desk clerk, room service employee, doorman. As the highest risk job.
"Automation is a promising innovation to reduce labor costs It's often mentioned. "Hospitality industry," said Rich Maloko, head of the New York Trade Council. "But anyone who understands the job of a room attendant understands that there is no robot or technology to replace humans."
"How to secure staff I know, "Taylor adds. "Pay more."
For now, some hoteliers see robots as a novelty to please guests, O'Donnell said, Mandarin Oriental hired in 2020. RobotPointed to Mobi.
Spokesman Daniel McNally said Mobi joined the staff of a luxury hotel when guests wanted more "contactless interactions." "But he's been an entertainment fixture, so we kept him on board."
But at other labor-bound facilities, robots were used. Helps fill the night shift, which may be working by only one person at the front desk.
"We've just scratched the surface of what we can do," Davis said.
