Robots within the hospitality industry are becoming more commonplace, with uses ranging from artificially intelligent chatbots designed to assist with the customer service process to robot assistants deployed to improve guests’ experience in a hotel. In this article, you will find more information about the uses of robots within the hospitality industry in 2026, complete with 17 specific examples from around the world.

Table of Contents:

What Are Robots?

When discussing robots and their uses, it is important first to establish what they are. In simple terms, a robot is a machine that has been built to carry out complex actions or tasks automatically. Some robots are designed to resemble humans, called androids, but many robots do not take such a form.

Modern robots can be autonomous or semi-autonomous and may use artificial intelligence (AI) and speech recognition technology. That said, most robots are programmed to perform specific tasks with great precision, an example being the industrial robots seen in factories or production lines.

Robots and Artificial Intelligence

According to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Report by Precedence Research, the global artificial intelligence market size is projected to reach $2,575.16 billion by 2032. The use of artificial intelligence within the field of robotics is one of the most exciting and promising applications for individuals and businesses operating within hospitality management. Nevertheless, this is another complex area where a clearer understanding is necessary.

Essentially, artificial intelligence refers to the performance of seemingly intelligent tasks that mimic human cognitive functions. Although there is no precise definition of what constitutes artificial intelligence, problem-solving, reasoning, understanding human speech, and autonomous navigation are typically considered AI examples.

Therefore, references to artificially intelligent robots will usually describe robots designed to achieve some of these ‘intelligent’ tasks or functions.

Robots Hospitality Industry - Artificial Intelligence

Robots Within the Hospitality Industry

Part of the reason why robots have emerged as a popular technology trend within the hospitality industry is that ideas of automation and self-service are playing an increasingly vital role in the customer experience. The use of robots can lead to improvements in terms of speed, cost-effectiveness, and even accuracy. According to the Hospitality Robots Market Analysis Reports by TechNavio, the hospitality robots market size worldwide is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.13% between 2022 and 2027.

For example, chatbots allow a hotel or travel company to provide 24/7 support through online chat or instant messaging services, even when staff would be unavailable, delivering extremely swift response times. Meanwhile, a robot used during check-in can speed up the entire process, reducing congestion.

Table: Examples of Robot & Artificial Intelligence Applications in Hospitality

Application Benefits Challenges
Guest Check-In/Check-Out Streamlines the check-in and check-out process, reducing wait times.
Enhances guest convenience with self-service options.		 Ensuring data security and guest privacy during self-service processes.
Balancing automation with maintaining a personalized guest experience.
Guest Service and Assistance Provides 24/7 customer support and assistance.
Offers personalized recommendations and information.		 Managing the perception of impersonality in guest interactions with robots.
Maintenance and repair challenges for physical service robots.
Predictive Analytics Analyzes guest preferences and behaviors for personalized services.
Improves revenue management and demand forecasting.		 Data quality and accuracy issues in predictive analytics models.
Ensuring proper training and data handling to maximize AI benefits.

Examples of the Use of Robots Within the Hospitality Industry

Robots are now used across different areas of hospitality, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafés, casinos, airports, and cruise lines. They support front-desk check-ins, guest information, housekeeping, floor cleaning, security patrols, room-service delivery, and even cocktail-making and food preparation. Their purpose is to reduce physical workload, speed up service, and support staff rather than replace them. Below is a list of 17 current, real-world examples showing how robots are used today in the hospitality industry.

Examples of Robots Being Used in the Accommodation Sector

Robots are becoming an important part of hotels and other accommodation businesses. They are no longer used just for show, but for real daily work like greeting guests, answering simple questions, cleaning floors, delivering items, and supporting security. Hotels face strong staffing pressure, with 67% of properties reporting staff shortages and 72% unable to fill open positions. Robots help fill these gaps by working continuously on repetitive tasks. This allows human staff to focus on guest care and service quality, while hotels maintain consistent service even with limited teams.

Reception or Front Desk Robots

Reception robots in the hospitality industry use robotics, AI, and machine learning technology to handle front desk tasks. This includes checking guests in, answering questions, and authenticating IDs. The use of robotics for the front desk can play a valuable role in reducing wait times. As a result, guests may gain a better first impression of your hotel because they avoid delays and see you embracing the latest technology.

1. Pepper at Hotel Reception (SoftBank Robotics)

Pepper is a humanoid service robot developed by SoftBank Robotics. Standing 121cm tall, this humanoid robot greets guests, assists check-in, provides information about hotel amenities and local attractions, and speaks multiple languages. Deployments in Japan and Europe have focused on high-traffic areas such as lobbies and exhibition-style hotels. Pepper reduces front-desk congestion while allowing staff to focus on guest needs.

Video: Smart Hotel Front Desk with Pepper Robot – SPARK Solution

2. Relay Delivery Robots in Major Hotel Chains

Relay delivery robots, developed by Relay Robotics, are active in many leading hotel brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Mandarin Oriental, and Holiday Inn. They deliver amenities and room-service items by riding elevators and calling guest rooms on arrival. Relay robots have completed over one million deliveries. They are helping hotels manage peak hours and night shifts while giving guests a memorable, social-media-friendly experience. Another example is Keenon’s BUTLERBOT W3 used in hotels like M Social Auckland to deliver bottled water and amenities between floors.

3. Seaview Investors – First U.S. Hotel Group with Robots at Every Property

Seaview Investors in California was one of the first hotel groups to place a Relay robot in each of its eight hotels. Robots like “Hannah” and “Winnie” deliver snacks, toiletries, and small food orders with around five-minute delivery times. During COVID-19, they supported safe, contactless service. The robots also boosted brand visibility through guest photos and online sharing.

4. Hotel Jen Singapore – Jeno and Jena Service Robots

Hotel Jen Orchardgateway and Hotel Jen Tanglin, part of Shangri-La Group, deployed robots named Jeno and Jena to deliver room-service items at about 1.5 mph. They ride elevators and notify guests upon arrival. Management reported higher guest satisfaction scores and strong social media buzz, with many guests booking specifically to experience the robots.

5. A Tour of the World’s First Robot-Staffed Hotel

Situated in Nagasaki, Japan, Henn-na Hotel became the first hotel in the world to be entirely staffed by robots. The hotel’s robots are deployed to provide information, front desk services, storage services, and check-in and check-out services, with technology including voice and facial recognition.

Video: Dinosaur Robot Receptionist at Henn na Hotel in Kanazawa (Japan 🇯🇵 Vlog)

6. Meet Connie, the Hilton Robot Concierge

Connie is a robot concierge used by Hilton. The robot uses an artificial intelligence platform developed by IBM and can interact with guests and respond to their questions, thanks to its speech recognition capabilities. The system also learns and adapts with each interaction, improving the answers it provides.

7. Luggage Handling Robots

Luggage-handling robots are able to automatically move guest bags and suitcases from the lobby to guest rooms. They use sensors and route planning technology to automatically navigate halls and elevators. Baggage handling is a physically demanding job that carries an injury risk. Automating this process not only reduces workloads but can also prevent injuries and reduce the risk of bags or suitcases being dropped.

Some of the top brands embracing robots in the hospitality industry have implemented robot luggage handlers, and they can often carry multiple bags at once and complete multiple journeys in sequence. These luggage-handling robots can also facilitate unusual check-in and check-out times.

Video: NYC Yotel “Yobot” Luggage Handling Robot

Examples of Housekeeping and Cleaning Robots

Housekeeping is one of the most physically demanding hospitality functions and one of the hardest roles to staff consistently. According to the International Labour Organization, repetitive cleaning tasks are among the highest contributors to workplace fatigue and injury in service industries. Cleaning robots are designed to take over these repetitive tasks in public areas. These robots vacuum corridors, lobbies, and public spaces autonomously using AI navigation systems. The most advanced housekeeping robots that hospitality industry businesses invest in offer UV light cleaning for maximum hygiene and air purification, to remove contaminants from the air. They operate during off-peak hours without disturbing guests. Below are some examples of housekeeping and cleaning robots being used in the hospitality industry.

8. Whiz by SoftBank Robotics (Hotel Cleaning)

Whiz is an autonomous vacuuming robot used in major hotel brands, including Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, and Club Wyndham. It is used to clean corridors and lobby areas with minimal staff supervision. Developed by SoftBank Robotics, Whiz uses AI-powered BrainOS navigation. It covers up to 15,000 square feet per charge. A US case study at a Hilton Garden Inn showed cleanliness scores rising from 82.7% to 90% after deploying Whiz, while housekeepers gained roughly one extra minute per guest room by offloading corridor vacuuming.

9. Pudu CC1 Cleaning Robot

Pudu CC1 offers 4-in-1 cleaning capabilities, including sweeping, scrubbing, vacuuming, and mopping, for hotels, malls, and large hospitality venues. With 15-liter clean water tanks and automatic refill/drainage at workstations, CC1 cleans up to 1,000 square meters per hour. Hotels use CC1 to keep lobbies, corridors, and restaurants spotlessly clean through autonomous mapping and scheduling.

10. Gausium Scrubber Robots – Large-Surface Cleaning in Resorts and Convention Hotels

Gausium (formerly Gaussian Robotics) produces autonomous scrubbers like Scrubber 50 and Phantas, which are widely used in large hotels, resorts, and convention spaces. These robots clean lobbies, ballrooms, convention spaces, and attached retail areas, using LiDAR and AI to map and optimize routes. At major hubs, Gausium robots have logged millions of square meters of cleaning while reducing water usage by over 40% thanks to onboard recycling systems. A case study at Hotel Prinz Rudolf in Italy describes how the Phantas robot, nicknamed “Hugo,” handles lobby and dining-area floors.

Video: SOMATIC’s New Version of Its Bathroom Cleaning Robot

Examples of Security and Monitoring Robots

Security robots help hotels monitor large spaces without constant human patrols. They move through lobbies, entrances, and outdoor areas, providing continuous visibility and basic safety support. By handling routine monitoring tasks, these robots allow security staff to focus on guest safety, incident response, and higher-risk situations.

11. Knightscope Autonomous Security Robots

Knightscope robots patrol lobbies, entrances, and outdoor areas. They use cameras and sensors to detect unusual activity and send real-time alerts to security teams. Knightscope robots are used in large hospitality and commercial properties to improve coverage while allowing human security staff to focus on incident response.

Examples of Robots Being Used in Restaurants, Bars, and Cafés

Robots are increasingly shaping restaurants, bars, and cafés by supporting service teams during peak hours and improving operational flow. According to NetSuite, the restaurant industry faces 500,000 worker shortages in the United States, while wages increased by 28%. Robots address these challenges by cooking, serving, mixing drinks, and bussing tables with precision and consistency. 30% of U.S. restaurants will integrate robotics by 2027, according to the National Restaurant Association.

A restaurant waiting robot is a machine capable of taking restaurant orders. These robots can take many forms, from AI-powered self-service kiosks to humanoid robots capable of taking plates to and from tables. Like other robots in the hospitality industry, waiting robots reduce staff workloads. However, they can also help to deliver a more consistent service standard and can avoid social faux pas when communicating.

The most advanced waiting robots will use sensors and navigation technology to avoid collisions with tables, chairs, guests, and other staff. They may include multiple trays or shelves to carry plates, bowls, glasses, and bottles. Ultimately, these robots can speed up service, potentially increasing guest turnover and revenue. Here are some examples of robots being used in restaurants, bars, and cafes.

12. BellaBot – Food Delivery Robot by Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics deploys over 80,000 units globally across 60+ countries, partnering with major brands including Marriott and Hilton. BellaBot is a cat-shaped robot used in hotel restaurants to deliver food directly to tables. It carries multiple trays and moves safely through crowded dining rooms, reducing how far staff need to walk. Operators report more tables covered per server and better consistency, while the cute design of BellaBot adds an entertainment element that resonates with families and younger guests.

Video: Sushi Island – Bella Bot – Robot Waitress

13. Keenon DinerBot

Keenon DinerBot serves as a multi-tray service robot for high-volume dining environments. The 4-foot-tall robot carries up to 88 pounds across three serving trays. It handles peak dining periods efficiently. DinerBot provides consistent service speed regardless of restaurant volume, navigating autonomously between kitchen and dining areas. Keenon deployed over 100,000 robots in 60+ countries, establishing itself as a global leader in restaurant service automation.

Video: KEENON DINERBOT T6 in Dim Sum Restaurants

Examples of Cooking and Kitchen Robots

Cooking and kitchen robots help hospitality businesses manage busy kitchens with greater speed, safety, and consistency. They are designed to handle repetitive and high-risk cooking tasks, especially during peak service hours. By automating frying, grilling, and meal assembly, these robots reduce pressure on kitchen staff, improve food consistency, and lower the risk of workplace injuries in hot and fast-paced environments.

14. Flippy by Miso Robotics

Developed by Miso Robotics, Flippy helps kitchens maintain quality while supporting busy teams. Flippy is a robotic kitchen assistant used for frying and grilling in hospitality kitchens and food chains. It can cook items consistently by following preset cooking times and temperatures. This reduces the risk of burns and injuries for staff. For example, White Castle deployed Flippy at 100+ locations after successful pilots.

Video: Miso Robotics Flippy at White Castle

15. Sweetgreen Infinite Kitchen

Sweetgreen’s Infinite Kitchen uses robots to prepare salads and bowls. Food moves along a conveyor belt, where ingredients are added automatically. It can make about 500 bowls per hour, much faster than humans. Stores using this system reached higher profits and more accurate orders. Sweetgreen bought Spyce in 2021 and turned its robotic kitchen idea into real restaurants.

16. Hotel Bartending Robots

Hotel bartending robots are able to automatically mix and serve drinks. They will usually also be able to take orders, either through conversation, text input, or by receiving orders through an app. Bartending is one of the fastest-growing areas for robots in the hospitality industry. These robots can reduce average service times and make work easier for human bar staff.

In many cases, the robots can be programmed to learn thousands of cocktail recipes, which they can then create with excellent precision. Not only does this result in great choice and consistency, but it also avoids waste. When deployed to great effect, a bartending robot can optimize efficiency and increase profit margins. For example, Makr Shakr’s robotic bartenders power Royal Caribbean’s famous Bionic Bar, where robot arms shake and stir cocktails ordered via tablets on ships like Harmony of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas.

Video: Bionic Bar – Harmony of the Seas – Robotic Bartenders (Royal Caribbean)

17. A Robot Assistant for Airports

Airports and hotels are increasingly using robotic assistants, transforming the entire hospitality industry. These assistants can perform various tasks, including room service and information provision. A key advantage is the ability of robots to offer support for various languages. At Incheon Airport in South Korea, LG’s CLOi GuideBot helps passengers find gates and facilities, answering questions in multiple languages. In Munich Airport’s Terminal 2, the JEEVES snack robot roams the gate area, selling drinks and snacks via a touchscreen and cashless payments.

 

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Robots vs. Humans

The subject of robotics and the use of robots to perform human tasks is a matter of debate, and there are advantages and disadvantages. In terms of positives, robots do not get tired or bored, can work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and do not require a salary. They can also process many tasks faster than humans.

In certain situations, robots can perform more accurately and consistently than humans can, and ‘human error’ is eliminated. Moreover, robots can perform in dangerous or hostile environments and can be programmed to perform actions that humans would be unwilling or unable to do.

With that said, there are also disadvantages. Increased automation could lead to an employment crisis due to fewer jobs, while the initial investment and maintenance costs associated with robots can be high. They can also not act outside their programmed parameters, meaning they cannot adapt to unanticipated situations.

Global Outlook for Hospitality Robots (2026–2036)

The adoption of robots in hospitality is shifting from small pilot tests to becoming standard operating equipment. Industry forecasts show rapid growth. The Mordor Intelligence research puts the hospitality robots market at roughly USD 0.6–0.7 billion by the mid-2020s, with forecasts ranging from about USD 1.4 billion to over USD 3.0 billion by 2030, often at 17–25% annual growth. This includes delivery, cleaning, F&B, concierge, and humanoid robots in hotels and restaurants, sitting inside a wider service-robotics market expected to surpass USD 90 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. Within that, delivery and cleaning robots are likely to stay the largest categories, while F&B and concierge robots grow fastest.

Asia-Pacific should remain in front, with Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea already running large hotel and restaurant deployments. The Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, is pushing AI hotel robotics through Vision 2030 and smart-city projects. North America and Europe are catching up as labor costs rise and big brands standardize robot use across properties.

By 2036, a “robot-ready” hotel or restaurant will probably treat robots like dishwashers or elevators: standard equipment. A typical mid-scale property may run small fleets of delivery and cleaning robots coordinated by AI agents, while high-volume F&B outlets combine server and kitchen robots with a leaner, more guest-focused human team.

Robots Hospitality Industry FAQs

Several hotels, such as the Hilton, Marriott, and Japan’s Henn-na, use robots. The range of services varies, but some examples include carrying luggage, room service, and check-in for guests.

Robots are used for everything from entertainment to tasks related to ordering, preparing, and delivering food. The end effect is an experience that’s faster, more efficient, and entertaining.

Robots occupy the front desk to offer assistance, provide information, and help to directly improve the guest’s experience. This also includes tasks such as cleaning, room service, deliveries, and automation of various tasks.

Robots are becoming more common in the hospitality sector, but the blend of humans and robots will likely become the norm. Robots are used for some tasks, but humans remain at the industry’s core. This is largely because human interaction is a vital part of hospitality.

While robots can handle some tasks, they can’t fully replace humans. Cleaning and data management are quite distinct from the empathy and difficult decisions that come with customer service within the hospitality sector.

Robots and artificial intelligence are emerging as valuable solutions for those operating in the hospitality industry, and their uses are numerous. However, while robots can improve automation and perform tasks without tiring, it is also important to acknowledge limitations, including an inability to adapt quickly to circumstances.

More Digital Trends

With digital technology continuously evolving, it should come as little surprise that its applications in the travel and hospitality industry also evolve. In the following articles, we compiled the most innovative digital trends in the hospitality industry.

More Tips to Grow Your Business

Revfine.com is the leading knowledge platform for the hospitality and travel industry. Professionals use our insights, strategies, and actionable tips to get inspired, optimize revenue, innovate processes, and improve customer experience.

Explore expert advice on management, marketing, revenue management, operations, software, and technology in our dedicated Hotel, Hospitality, and Travel & Tourism categories.