Home LIFESTYLE NEWS Is Nairobi Ready for Robot Servers?

Is Nairobi Ready for Robot Servers?

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Is Nairobi Ready for Robot Servers?
Robot Server

In Nairobi’s Kileleshwa suburb, a new dining establishment is captivating both residents and visitors with its innovative approach to hospitality.

The Robot Café, located on the ground floor of Lana Plaza, is Kenya’s pioneering restaurant to incorporate robots into its workforce, blending science fiction with reality and offering a glimpse into the future of dining. Upon entering the Robot Café, patrons are welcomed by a sleek, modern interior where technology seamlessly integrates with hospitality. The café is distinguished by its use of three robots: two positioned strategically around the dining area and one stationed at the kitchen counter. These robots are far from mere novelties as they play a crucial role in the restaurant’s operations.

One notable robot is Nadia, a female bot adorned in a striking red outfit. Nadia’s primary function is to deliver food to the tables. Each table is equipped with a QR code that diners can scan to access the menu. Orders can be placed online or through a human waiter. Once an order is prepared, a bell rings to alert the waiter, who then places the food on Nadia’s tray. Using an iPad, the waiter sends Nadia on her way to deliver the meal. Observing Nadia in action is a fascinating experience. She moves with smooth efficiency, navigating the restaurant with ease.

Currently, her role is limited to delivering food while human waiters manage drinks and payments. This blend of human and robotic service creates a distinctive and efficient dining experience. The introduction of robotic servers at the Robot Café is not merely a gimmick but represents a significant advancement in the hospitality sector. John Kariuki, the café’s manager, explains that the concept emerged from a desire to differentiate the café in a competitive market.

“One of the company directors, who has travelled extensively, saw many innovative dining concepts. While many restaurants can serve good food and maintain a polished appearance, standing out requires something different. So we chose robots,” Kariuki notes.

Since its inception, the Robot Café has been warmly received. The novelty of robot servers has attracted both locals and tourists, quickly establishing the café as a popular destination. While the use of robots in food service is not entirely new, with similar concepts seen in the United States and China, the Robot Café marks a significant milestone for East Africa’s technological advancement. While some express concerns about robots replacing human jobs, industry experts argue that such technology is intended to enhance efficiency and service quality. They also highlight the need to incorporate technology training into hospitality education to prepare the workforce for these changes.

5 COMMENTS

  1. No doubt robots take up…
    No doubt robots take up someone’s job.But on the upswing side of things’ is the economic value they present to the establishment,and the pudding of stockholders pockets with cash.
    Imagine that you own a restaurant where all waiters are robots,you would not worry about the following:

    1. Tardiness
    2. Sexual harrasment-lawsuits
    3. Pay raises
    4. Unnecessary breaks
    5.Paid Vacation
    6.Uniform
    7.Fatigue
    Iam sure Mwakilishians can add,and modify my list .
    Sure,just like any business that uses technology,there will be some maintenance,and professional expenses attatched to”Robotization”.
    AI is here to stay,and most likely make human life bearable if not comfortable.Think of lonely soles that could use SAMANTHA,or patients that could use Robot-doctors when real human are on strike or overworked and need a break or more pay…
    The future looks bright.They are even making “wives” that don’t nag,complain,or have headaches.
    Can you imagine a human being who lived 1000 years ago waking up today?I think he /she would die of paralysis…?

    • @Max, AI and robotics is a…
      @Max, AI and robotics is a double edged sword to some extent! Imagine a scenario where all workers are fired and replaced by robots and AI, you know that corporate greed of big greedy capitalist cats, then, the former underpaid oppressed and now former workers, are now as BROKE as Broken, this is usually group that keeps the businesses going, through spending and labor.

      You see how difficult it will be for the so called greedy corporations to survive another three months!!!

      Improving efficiencies is one thing, but outrageous greed is the wholesome undoing of the fat greedy cats!!!

      • In his book Future Shock…
        In his book Future Shock,Futurist Alvil Toffler theorized that technology would free so much of our time that we would have more time to spend mending and improving our personal and interpersonal relationships. Well ,at least not in this present future. Have you noticed that the more we advance technologically,the less our human relationships seem to thrive.Look at marriages,dating,and even family bonding.Human being appear to enjoy more time being by themselves more so now than ever before.My guess is because we dont need each other that much for survival anymore. Of course we are social being and societies will continue to exist,but my guess is that we will have to change the rules of engagement and shape new societies that would suite our new environment.Take marriage for example,this institution is not valued as much anymore,but certainly people will continue to copulate and populate thus replacing folks that check out.But for that man and woman do not necessarily have to live in one house every day…
        I foresee a future where human beings shall be shaped,by science,and the laws of the land founded on critical thinking than on what we now refer to as culture/tradition,and religion. We shall have universal laws guiding us but based on science rather than “traditions passed on” Good example is under age marriages.Traditions tell us that they are OK,but science and law tell us that it is not. You get my drift…? My two cents.

      • @comrade Kora kanini, I knew…
        @comrade Kora kanini, I knew you would add something’ valuable’…

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