A serving robot is a machine that helps with food service. It can carry trays of food and drinks, or it can take dirty dishes to the kitchen. Some serve-bots are self-driving, while others rely on a staff member to guide them. They can even communicate with humans using customizable audio prompts. For example, a restaurant owner could program Servi to wish someone a happy birthday when delivering a dessert.

Many restaurants use robot servers to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. However, they also pose risks and challenges for businesses that are considering them. For one, some customers may not appreciate the experience of having a robot bring their food. In addition, a robot server that isn’t programmed correctly or isn’t used properly can have negative effects on the business.

The first step to deploying a robot is for a company like Bear Robotics to map out the restaurant’s layout and figure out a general delivery route. The team then works with the restaurant staff to designate specific points in the dining room where the robot should deliver food and bus tables, often based on table numbers. The route is then uploaded to the robot’s system, which can help it avoid obstacles and slow down for turns or ramps.

Depending on the type of robot, it might have multiple sensors to detect its surroundings. These sensors can be in the form of cameras, depth-sensing radar, and sonar. This information can be fed to a computer, which can interpret it and determine what actions to take. The computer can also store data and make recommendations for future actions.

Other robots, such as the Bella Bot, resemble a cat and can interact with diners. For example, when a robot delivers a plate of noodles to a table, it will look at the customer and sometimes purr. If a customer pets the robot too much, it will become irritated and return to its station in the kitchen.

Medical robots can also be a source of concern for some people. They can be useful in a number of ways, but some fear that they will lead to fewer jobs for doctors and nurses. Others worry that the devices could be dangerous if they malfunction.

Other examples of robots include autonomous cars, drones, and personal or domestic robots. A personal or domestic robot can help clean a home or assist a disabled person with daily chores. The technology is continually improving, and it can now provide an array of services that were once only possible through manual labor.