Bella Italia operator pilots robot waiters
The “BellaBots” can carry plates and be arranged to perform and entertain.
Robot waiters are currently being trialed at the Bella Italia restaurant in Center Parcs Whinfell Forest.
The pilot comes courtesy of a partnership with parent company Big Table Group—which also operates Las Iguanas and Café Rouge—and Pudu Robotics, which produces commercial service robots.
The retrieving robots, affectionately named ‘BellaBot’, feature four shelves in the centre of its ‘body’ structure to carry plates. Once loaded by its human counterparts, the robotic waiter interacts with guests when delivering food to diners to “encourage customers to take their ordered dishes” from the BellaBot.
Additionally, it can be programmed to conduct certain movements around the restaurant and has been designed to rotate to the side of the table, allowing the staff to hand over the client’s plates, automating many supply-side processes.
The robot can be arranged to perform and entertain whilst conducting its allocated tasks during special occasions and festivities, such as displaying customised wordings on its external frame and singing ‘Happy Birthday’.
“By having intelligent robots conduct simple tasks, such as retrieving dirty dishes, our teams are able to focus on doing what they love and delivering an amazing experience. It’s still early days in the trial, but we’re looking forward to seeing the impact that having an extra pair of ‘paws’ has on dining satisfaction,” said Lisa Gibbons, chief operating officer of Bella Italia.
