Our Respondent Reporter
Nairobi’s latest dining sensation, the Robot Cafe, is making waves as two robotic waiters named Nadia and Claire glide through the restaurant, delivering orders to eager customers.
The two-month-old establishment has become the first in East Africa to incorporate robot waiters, drawing significant attention and sparking excitement among locals.
"At times we get really busy, especially on weekends," says waitress Gladys Guda. "When the house is packed, we have ten waiters and three robots on duty.
The robots are our colleagues, they help with service, and their performance is perfect."
Customers can browse the menu by scanning a QR code and placing their order online. Once the food is ready, a bell rings, signaling a human waiter to load the dishes onto a robot’s tray.
After a few commands are keyed in on an iPad, the robot smoothly delivers the order to the table.
At the end of each day, the robots are charged overnight and controlled via a central command system equipped with specialized software.
While robotic waiters are not new in countries like China, Japan, and the United States, this is a novel experience for many in Kenya.
The Robot Cafe has sparked enthusiasm from patrons, with diner Packson Chege noting, "It’s something unique.
I’ve never seen anything like it in Kenya, so it’s a great idea from the restaurant owner."
However, concerns have arisen about potential job losses in Kenya’s hospitality industry, which employs many workers.
Restaurant manager John Kariuki is quick to reassure the public that the robots are there for entertainment, not to replace human staff.
"The robots can’t fully take over all the services in the restaurant. They’re expensive to acquire, so it’s not about saving money," Kariuki says.
"We introduced the robots to provide our customers with an experience similar to what they’d find in developed countries."
While the Robot Cafe may spark a trend in Kenya, industry expert Edith Ojwang believes it won’t threaten human labor. "The hospitality industry is diverse," Ojwang explains.
"Some clients will prefer robotic service, while others will value the human touch and warmth. There’s room for both, so it’s not a threat to human jobs."
As Nairobi embraces this cutting-edge dining experience, the Robot Cafe offers a glimpse into the future of hospitality, where robots and humans work hand in hand to serve customers.
Source: Africa News