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June 5 2023

Casinos represent a complex business model. Each facility houses several separate yet interconnected business units under one roof. There’s the casino floor, sure, but there are also restaurants (fine dining and casual), multiple bar and lounge areas, spa and health club facilities, and often, a full-service hotel. With the average US casino sprawling well over 50,000 square feet, that’s a lot of interworking parts that must come together smoothly to maintain profitable operations and guest satisfaction. 

Now add in the fact that few sectors of the economy have been harder hit by labor shortages than the hospitality and service industry, and it’s clear that casino operators could use help keeping the drinks flowing, dice rolling and patrons smiling. Luckily, technological innovations like autonomous service robots are here to fill in the gaps, improving guest experience and employee morale along the way.

Food Service

Some of the most popular service robots were created specifically for the restaurant industry, where they can be seen helping waitstaff expedite food, guiding people to their tables or running dirty dishes back to the kitchen/dish station. Casinos, which frequently contain multiple restaurants and food service locations, are in many ways an even more ideal setting for these types of hospitality robots. Their larger footprint means more room for robots to operate, and the consistency with which robots work means fewer steps for servers who might be attempting to wait on patrons at several locations per shift. 

While nothing can replace the conversational flair and personal care of dedicated waitstaff, saving the repetitive, less interactive work for robots can actually make servers better at their jobs and increase tips. A robot like BellaBoT, for example, can run food to tables the minute it’s ready, even if the server is tied up taking another group’s order. The BoT’s integrated table locator system means it knows exactly where to go, and won’t get in anyone’s way while getting there, thanks to the same LIDAR technology used by autonomous vehicles. 

And when it’s time to clear tables, BoTs like BellaBoT or the heavy-duty HolaBoT can save waitstaff even more time. By meeting staff members at tables in need of bussing, HolaBoT can hold up to 120 lbs of dirty dishes and deliver them back to the kitchen or dish station. No heavy trays or tubs for anyone to carry. The HolaBoT can be operated by smartwatch and touchless swipe, making the BoT easy to use even when they’re in the weeds. 

Delivery

Casinos have delivery needs that aren’t limited to dining areas. Room service is usually part of the hotel’s operations, and requires dedicated staff members to liaise between the kitchen and guest rooms. Add in outside food deliveries that need to be taken up to guest rooms, and that’s a lot of time and steps on simple delivery errands. Luckily, specialized delivery BoTs with secure compartments can help relieve some of this pressure from staff. Robots like the W3 integrate with elevators and automatic doors to make all kinds of deliveries a breeze—room service, outside food orders, toiletries or any other guest item. And guests can feel confident that their items will stay secure en route thanks to the BoT’s passcode protection. 

Secure delivery BoTs aren’t limited to room service deliveries. Anything within a casino that needs to be delivered to a specific recipient (and that recipient only) is fair game. A future use case that we think holds promise is robot-enabled, secure chip delivery. These valuable assets are typically transported by designated staff members who are protected by security guards. But new secure delivery solutions like FlashBot and SwiftBot can do this type of transportation work just as securely, without the need for several staff members to make the trip multiple times each day. Our robots are passcode protected and easily integrated into casino security protocols. The FlashBoT can even disinfect playing chips with UV-C light as it transports them.

Hosting and Concierge

Guest experience is really what it’s all about when it comes to casinos or any hospitality business. Today’s guests, and younger generations in particular, are used to getting everything they need with a click or swipe, and expect a similar level of efficiency in hospitality settings. However, casinos have to up the game even further by providing an immersive, entertaining experience, and robots can easily be a part of that. 

Service BoTs like KettyBoT and TemiBoT can help out in concierge areas by assisting with check-in or dinner reservations, answering questions about the venue or physically guiding guests to a desired location. KettyBoT is also great on the casino floor as a fun and novel drink delivery assistant that can display ads or event information as it cruises the space. AI-powered TemiBot combines hosting and wayfinding, hotel check-in, player rewards clubs, restaurant ordering, and general information in one efficient unit. These types of hosting robots augment guest services and concierge staff by taking on some of the work, yet offering a higher-touch experience than, say, a phone app. Guests enjoy a sense of personalized care and delight at the technology on display. 

Safety and Maintenance

While most patrons are no longer hypervigilant about Covid protocols when embarking on some fun and entertainment, the pandemic definitely placed a renewed focus on cleanliness and sanitation within hospitality settings. For facilities like casinos that have massive amounts of floor space to clean and indoor spaces to disinfect, autonomous cleaning and disinfection robots are just the ticket. 

Floor cleaning BoTs like CC1 and CC3 can multiply the cleaning power of housekeeping staff by autonomously sweeping, vacuuming and mopping both carpeted and hard floor areas. While an experienced cleaner can cover a bit over 2,000 square feet per hour, these robots can clean 10 times as much over the same period. They also automatically charge themselves and can empty dirty water and self-fill with clean water. Advanced object avoidance technology means they are safe to operate around guests and throughout the facility, 24/7.

Disinfection BoTs like the Puductor2 and BubbleFish use medical grade dry-mist and UV-C technology to disinfect the air and surfaces on a consistent basis. They’re a great addition to HVAC-integrated air purifier systems and also provide a visible sign that a casino is doing everything possible to promote cleanliness and safety. All of these BoTs are a highly effective way to ensure consistent and thorough cleanliness while saving on labor costs, supplementing valuable janitorial and housekeeping staff, and providing peace of mind to guests. 

Lux Tech for Your Casino

These days, technology is often synonymous with luxury. And as casinos have consistently transformed and marketed themselves as luxurious full-service entertainment destinations, what better way to up the ante than by incorporating the latest in hospitality technology. Your patrons will thank you, and so will your staff.

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