The Aloft hotel in California, US, is set to begin testing of a robotic bellhop dubbed the ‘Botlr’ on 20 August this year.
Botlr, which was designed by the Silicon Valley start-up Savioke, is a wheeled service vehicle designed to deliver items from the hotel lobby desk to guests’ rooms.
Although the Botlr is not humanoid in appearance, it features a butler’s collar painted on its chest.
The robot has the ability to reach a maximum speed of four miles per hour when on the move.
This speed enables it to deliver various items, such as smartphone chargers and snacks, to any of the hotel’s 150 rooms in just two to three minutes.
After the wheeled robot reaches the guest’s door, the system calls the room to alert the guest of the delivery.
The robot, which is equipped with a camera and other sensors, recognises when a room door is opened and then lifts the lid on the storage bin, presenting the delivery.
Botlr also features a flat panel display at its top which can be used by guests to enter a review. The robot is able to make its way to the upper floors on its own, wirelessly communicate with the elevator system, and stay out of human passengers’ way while in the elevator car.
When returning to the lobby the robot has the ability to plug itself into a recharging station.
The delivery robot is expected to enhance the hotel’s efficiency by freeing up time for hotel desk staff, giving them more time for guests.