Robot Butlers Invade California Hotel Chain

Guess this means we won't have to worry about tipping?

We knew this was coming sooner or later.  All the talk about delivery drones with Amazon (even if it never comes to full utilization),  robotics used in factories, and now, the vacation industry.

Rosie the Robot in the Jetsons Cartoon has now become reality.  CNBC reports at the Starwood Hotel chain in California,  robot butlers are now being used to perform many of the tasks previously held by "carbon based life units"-that would be...us.  From CNBC Tuesday:

'Forget your toothpaste? Need more towels? How about a late-night chocolate bar? All guests of the hotel have to do is call the front desk, where staff will load up the Botlr with requested items, punch in the guest's room number and send it off to make the delivery, navigating hallways and even call for the elevator using Wi-Fi.    At the Aloft in Cupertino, California, A.L.O is being fine-tuned for the Aug. 20 official launch of this pilot program. If successful, the Botlrs will appear in nearly 100 properties."

Hotel officials say the robots are NOT intended to replace their staff but to augment their ability to service their customers.  Oh, and if the service industry gets it's way with $15 minimum wage, these robots will come in rather handy!

While we don't have a video of the Botlr, courtesy of Science Nation on YouTube, we get an idea of what these robots are capable of.  This one is designed for home use.