Over the past several years, robotics has emerged as a growing trend in the hospitality industry due to its unique and helpful way to attract and service customers. From self-service check-in and automated front desk services, to keyless room access using facial recognition technology, robots and AI-powered tools have made many travelers’ lives easier and more efficient. While self-service kiosks and tablets can also perform hospitality services, they are no match for customer service robots that exceed in areas which require mobility and artificial intelligence such as autonomous navigation and personalized recommendations. Overall, robotics in hospitality is aimed at improving the guest experience, and UBTECH’s Cruzr intelligent service robot is designed to do just that and more. From recognizing names to remembering a local restaurant choice, Cruzr offers multiple customer engagement features for the hospitality industry. Here are three key examples of how AI and robotics are being used to benefit hotel guests and elevate their experience: 1. Faster Check-in For many guests, checking in and out of hotels can be a pain due to long wait times. However, with the help of robotics speeding up the entire process and reducing congestions at hotel lobbies, customers can skip the line and get on with their day – all without losing the personal touch of customer service. Cruzr is built on an open source platform, so hotels can integrate APIs to connect to the hotel’s database and check for room reservations, availability, and customer preferences. Cruzr can also provide access to 24/7 remote voice or video support in the event of questions or location, improving operational efficiency for the hotel staff. While the check-in/out system is considered a small part of the guest experience, it is still a great opportunity to positively represent the hotel’s brand and exceed guests’ expectations; therefore, it needs to be a simple, hassle-free process that saves time and delivers exceptional service. While having a robot perform front desk services would mean guests will have little interaction with people during their stay, Gartner has already predicted that by 2021, 15% of all customer service interactions globally will be handled completely by AI, an increase of 400% from 2017. This is perfect for guests who have had a long day of travel and wish to quickly check in and go to their room without talking to anyone. 2. Instant Information If a guest can’t find the ballroom or need recommendations for a restaurant, he can now stop by the concierge desk and a robot assistant like Cruzr can help him. Guests can simply ask Cruzr questions regarding what to visit, where to dine, and how to find anything at the property. As the robotic concierge with the ability to recognize human speech, Cruzr can quickly respond and deliver information, while helping the hotel operate more efficiently. Also, if a guest needs Cruzr to take him to a specific place inside the hotel, the intelligent service robot can do that, too, by using UBTECH’s own proprietary U-SLAM technology for autonomous and safe navigation. 3. Greater Personalization UBTECH’s Cruzr uses intelligent facial recognition software to remember faces and names (upon opt in loyalty procedures), which helps to create unique personalized experiences for hotel guests. For example, Cruzr can recognize that a regular visitor prefers more towels in his room, or a specific beverage served upon arrival. For new guests, Cruzr can begin to pick up on patterns and remember their preferences so that it can provide accurate recommendations in the future. When these guests return, Cruzr is able to surprise and delight by showing it remembers their preferences and can ease weary travelers much more quickly into comfort and relaxation. With fast check-in, readily accessible information, and great personal service, customer-centric robots such as Cruzr are transforming the hospitality industry. From delivering personalized recommendations to exceeding service expectations, AI and robotics are playing an increasingly important role in enhancing the customer experience. In fact, a 2018 study by Hospitality Technology found that nearly 44% of hotels will increase AI spending over the next two years. As more customer service robots become more commonplace, don’t be surprised when you see Cruzr providing data-driven personal experiences at your next hotel stay. For more information, contact UBTECH at cruzr.info@ubtrobot.com and learn how Cruzr can help elevate your hospitality business to the next level. Also, sign up on the Cruzr page for the latest product news!
