Bear Robotics tests Servi in Arkansas

Testing

Bear Robotics’ Servi robot

By: Rick Zambrano

Arkansas restaurant chain to test Servi’s ability to improve guest satisfaction, increase efficiency and help retain staff

Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant has launched a test of Bear Robotics’ hospitality robot in Rogers, Arkansas. The goal of the test is to help servers with service tasks, while increasing the time servers have with guests. In the pilot at the Rogers restaurant, Abuelo’s seeks to understand Servi’s proficiency in improving guest satisfaction, increasing efficiency and helping retain restaurant staff in a tight labor market.

Servi can not only run food and drink to tables, but can also help bring dishes, glasses and flatware back. Photo by Bear Robotics.

With Servi, restaurants can automate repetitive tasks in the dining room. For example, the robot can run food and drinks to guests as soon as items are ready and help servers bus tables and return dishes to the back of the house for washing.

According to Bear Robotics, Servi can enhance servers’ interactions with guests. Servers will feel reduced physical demands; as a result, they can focus on providing better service and having “quality interactions with guests,” per a company statement.

“Since our first restaurant opening in 1989, it’s been our mission to provide superior service to every Abuelo’s guest,” said Robert Lin, president of Abuelo’s. “We’ve explored many innovations over the years to improve the guest experience, and the Servi pilot program is the latest test of how we can use technology to enhance efficiency while providing the best service in the industry.”

Designed with agile movement and versatile functionality, Bear Robotics’ robot uses advanced LiDar sensor and multiple cameras. Consequently, Servi is capable of sensing obstacles and navigating spaces easily and safely; for example, while carrying trays of food and drinks to guests, Servi can avoid any person or barrier that crosses its path.

“Our vision is to elevate hospitality by automating the hustle behind it,” said John Ha, founder and chief executive of Bear Robotics. “Restaurant servers are hardworking people who provide memorable moments for guests. At forward-thinking restaurants like Abuelo’s, Servi hospitality robots don’t replace restaurant staff, but they do help servers provide an incredible dining experience.”