Imagine walking into a restaurant, and instead of being greeted by a waiter, you’re welcomed by a robot with a ‘friendly smile’—Robots can not typically smile in the same way humans do, as they lack emotions and facial expressions. However, some robots are designed with physical features that allow them to ‘simulate’ a smile or use visual or sound effects that create an impression of kindness and friendliness. Shortly after, another robot brings you a menu on a screen and recommends the day’s specials, while yet another mechanical helper later delivers the food directly to your table. Just a few years ago, such scenes seemed like science fiction, but today they are increasingly becoming a reality…

When a meal is prepared, robots like the famous Peanut in China take the plates from the kitchen, using advanced navigation systems to quickly and safely deliver the food to the guest’s table. After the meal, other robots discreetly approach and clean the tables, thoroughly disinfecting the surfaces. Hygiene is at an exceptional level, and the technology provides guests with a completely carefree and exciting experience, allowing them to fully enjoy it!

Robots bring numerous advantages to the hospitality industry. They can work 24/7, without breaks, sick leave, or mood swings. Additionally, working with robots reduces a restaurant’s operational costs in the long term, as the need for many employees decreases. Moreover, robots have become a great attraction, drawing guests, especially in areas with high competition. Many restaurants use robots as a marketing tool, as people are eager to visit and experience a meal served by machines.

In the future, we will likely see a combination of robots and humans working together in restaurants. Robots will be used for basic tasks, while humans will be responsible for guest communication, solving specific problems, and creating a welcoming atmosphere. We may also witness robots learning new skills and capabilities through artificial intelligence, becoming increasingly better suited to the jobs they perform.

However, as technology advances, it’s interesting to consider—will we one day reach a point where robots fully replace waitstaff? Perhaps the hospitality sector will become a new arena for collaboration between humans and machines, where robots will be valuable assistants but not complete replacements for people.

Although robots are increasingly being used, they are still not a full substitute for human staff. They lack the empathy, creativity, and flexibility in problem-solving that human waiters bring. Robots are intended as support staff to reduce the burden on people, especially for routine and repetitive tasks. Moreover, many studies show that guests appreciate the human interaction and kindness that the waitstaff provides during the dining experience. Robots may serve food, but they are unlikely to offer the warmth and personal touch that human workers bring.

Robots are result of our desire to improve everyday life and free people from monotonous tasks. However, when machines begin to mimic our creativity and empathy, we will face the question—”Will technological progress bring us closer together or distance us from what makes us human?”

As we wait to see what the future holds, we can enjoy this blend of technology and hospitality—because who knows, the next meal you eat might just be served by a robot.

Visionary – The voice of the future