Sizzler turns to robotic waiters for distancing

Sizzler turns to robotic waiters for distancing

SLRT, the operator of Sizzler in Thailand, has launched food delivery robots in a move to address health concerns by providing more contactless services, as well as improve productivity.

Nongchanok Stananonth, the company's assistant vice-president for marketing, said three intelligent robot waiters were made available to provide services at its Siam Center branch two days ago.

The store is piloting the robots.

The company plans to extend the delivery robot services to another 20 major restaurants by the end of January next year.

Robot waiters are being piloted at Sizzler in Siam Center to reduce contamination from contact and to ensure sanitary and safety standards.  (Photo by Pitsinee Jitpleecheep)

The robot waiters will take customers to tables, serve food, collect plates and even sing on customers' birthdays.

"Robot services are responding to the situation, which requires social distancing in order to reduce contamination from contact and to ensure sanitary and safety standards," said Ms Nongchanok.

"The use of robots also helps increase the speed of our services and builds customers' trust and confidence."

She said the robots are not replacing staff at the restaurant.

Ms Nongchanok said the company rented three robots from One to One Contacts, the authorised distributor of Shenzhen-based Pudu Technology's robots in Thailand.

An executive at Pudu Technology who requested anonymity said 5,000-6,000 of its robots were used worldwide in 2019, with demand jumping to 10,000 units in the third quarter of this year.

In Thailand, about 80-100 Pudu Tech robots have been rented for commercial services in the fourth quarter, the source said.

Of the total, about 40% are used as delivery robots and the rest are used for industrial purposes. Further details were not provided.

Apart from the food delivery robot, Sizzler has adopted smart alarm systems at its restaurants, allowing customers to press a button to call wait staff to the table.

The eatery also hosts live bands at its Siam Center branch to draw customers on Friday-Sunday.

Kreetakorn Siriatha, general manager of SLRT, said the company will continue developing new tech services to improve their customer experience in 2021.

"Sizzler has recovered 80% of our pre-crisis sales level. The latest outbreak has had a lower impact than the first outbreak because we and our customers have learned how to prepare ourselves," Mr Kreetakorn said.

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