Debbie Shank and her husband have owned the Dinner Bell Motel and Restaurant in Bonfield for 15 years, but “never in a million years” did she think she would be working with a robot.
But never say never because Shank has recently added Bella to her staff. The new addition arrived last Tuesday, and after some time spent to set it up and familiarize it with its new surrounds, the new help was put to work.
Bella, manufactured by the Pudu company, stands just under one and a half meters—about four feet—and resembles more of a high end, futuristic cart tray than a person. Pudu calls it a “premium delivery robot,” on their website, and delivery is what it does best, bringing plates and drinks to tables and helping to bus dirty dishes back to the kitchen. It’s been a great help to Shank and her staff, cutting out a lot of back-and-forth trips.
Upon hearing that a robot server was in town, some folks raised concerns about lost jobs within the community, and Shank admits she’s been receiving some flak on the issue from online commentators.
She understands the concerns but mentioned that she “has just hired two more people” at the restaurant, and her intention wasn’t to create an autonomous robot service brigade. Instead, Bella is meant to bolster the existing team.
Plus, after all the Covid openings and closings, finding staff has been difficult as many workers do not want to risk the mercurial work environments many restaurants have become during the pandemic. “We’ve had a hard time finding people,” Shank said.
“We needed extra help,” and Bella is there to work, and if there are more closures due to future outbreaks, she’ll fit nicely into a closet until reopening.
“It doesn’t take away jobs,” Shank said, as the robot is more of an aide to human workers allowing servers to bring all the plates out at once, for example. Given Bella’s ample cart space bussing tables is made easier, too. Load Bella’s four trays and save a few trips to the kitchen.
Bella doesn’t take orders, but it can deliver your order to a table. If Shank is occupied preparing some food, she can send another soda to table three by placing it on Bella’s tray and telling it what table to go to. When Bella arrives table-side, the tray lights up to let the customer know which order is theirs.
Shank first saw Bella at a Toronto food and restaurant convention in 2020. At that time, “I really thought it was crazy” she admitted, the idea of a four-foot cart tray helping around the restaurant. At that time, before Covid, “I had a lot of staff” and things were running well, and there was no need for robotic help. “Now it’s a different story.”
Despite some negative comments towards Shank’s new hire, most people react positively toward Bella. “The people that are coming in are loving it,” Shank said. “They see the benefit of it” as well, “it’s an extra hand.”
David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca
Robots to be part of North Bay social isolation research project
NORTH BAY - “I am happy to be here today,” Mindy said prior to a media conference at the Village in North Bay.
Mindy was joined by her small partner Mork at the event.
The three-foot tall couple was the centre of attention as Canadore College introduced the unique Apple Robot which are part of a new research initiative launched Monday afternoon.
"The robots are a tool that will help us increase engagement with seniors and as many of the speakers here have addressed the issue of social isolation for seniors," said George Burton, President at Canadore College.
"It is a very active tool we hope to employ through the research project and how best that interaction should occur, what type of programs should these robots be loaded with, how those interactions should be scheduled because robots have a range of activities that are possible. We are going to find out which ones work best with our population here and again try to prove that seniors have with technology and humans together as a combined effort to address the issue of isolation with our seniors."
In particular, the Village will investigate through a new research project entitled “The Use of Companion Social Robots with Older Adults: A Pilot Study Examining Impacts on Social Isolation, Social Inclusion, and Perceived Loneliness."
“Older adults living in retirement residences or affordable housing will work with students from the Canadore’s Health, Human Care and Wellness programs on this project,” said Dr. Anna-Liisa Mottonen, Social Sciences faculty and Primary Investigator.
“With the physical distancing required during the pandemic, these problems are likely to be exacerbated.”
The Village Collective Impact Project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizon’s for Seniors Program. The Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTOERO) Districts 43 and 44 are collaborating with The Village on this project.
“District 43 of the Retired Teachers of Ontario is pleased to be partners with District 44 and Canadore in this project,” said Doug Bolger, District 43 President.
“RTOERO has identified social isolation as an important concern for our senior population. We feel this project has the potential to provide significant research on the use of robots to help create meaningful interaction for seniors in long-term care settings and other areas. The RTOERO Foundation has also focused its research and funding on geriatric training in the medical field and the issue of social isolation.”
The project is expected to begin in early March in two retirement homes in the North Bay area.
No comments:
Post a Comment