The fear that artificial intelligence will take people’s jobs has been a concern for two years now, and it already seems well-founded, considering that some industries are seeing layoffs directly driven by the trend. From law to IT, automation is already today and from today AI robots have also entered the hospitality sector. Vips, the restaurant brand belonging to Alsea, has taken a significant step towards digitization by incorporating eight robots in its establishments as part of the “Robots in store” project. This effort focuses on improve employee well-being by assigning less skilled tasks to these robots, allowing human workers to focus on more productive and less physical tasks. Robots are currently working here seven restaurants in Madrid and one from Valencia, representing an innovative strategy in the hospitality sector.
The robot known as “Charly” has proven to be an invaluable tool in handling physical tasks, especially lifting and transporting trays. This robot has the ability move up to four trays weighing 15 kg, which is a significant improvement over the five kilos that waiters usually carry each trip. Charly is equipped with a battery that gives it up to six hours of autonomy and can work up to 15 hours a day with a battery change, ensuring its continuous efficiency during operating hours.
Operational and technological benefits
The implementation of “Charly” not only relieves employees of physically demanding tasks, but also increases the efficiency of restaurant operations. Waiters can load the trays into the robot, which is in charge of transporting them to the office, where another colleague will unload them and prepare Charly for his next task. This automation allows employees to spend more time on other operational activities, improving their well-being and wellbeing reducing the risk of occupational accidents.
From a technological point of view, it is equipped advanced vision cameras, depth cameras and lidar sensors that allow you to navigate the restaurant without colliding with furniture or people. This level of technological sophistication not only facilitates its integration into the work environment, but also ensures a safe and efficient operationwhich benefits both employees and customers.
Raquel Capel, CEO of Robot Componentes, points out that the adoption of robots like Charly is a clear example of digitization in the hospitality sector. This initiative not only optimizes restaurant operations, but also improves working conditions for employees, positions Vips as a leader in innovation and social responsibility in the industry. This collaboration between Vips and Robot Componentes marks a step towards a more sustainable future and efficient in hospitality.
