In Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital city, a unique sight is captivating patrons at the Robot Cafe, believed to be the first of its kind not only in Nairobi but also in East Africa. The cafe showcases a trio of robots alongside human waitstaff, astonishing customers with their delivery of freshly prepared meals to diners in the busy eatery.
The innovative cafe is a testament to Nairobi’s burgeoning tech industry, home to numerous startups and cutting-edge inventions, solidifying its reputation as a tech hub in the East African region, earning the moniker The Silicone Savanna.
Cafe proprietor, Mohammed Abbas, decided to introduce the preprogrammed robots to the establishment after experiencing similar robotic service during his travels in Asian and European countries, despite the hefty cost of importing the robots. His investment has proven fruitful, drawing in a steady stream of intrigued customers eager to experience the novelty of robot-assisted service.
The robots – named Claire, R24, and Nadia – gracefully navigate the cafe, delivering dishes to diners with a limited repertoire of phrases like “Your order is ready” and “Welcome.” Customers can select their meals from the robot tray and then press an exit button to complete the interaction.
While the robots add a futuristic flair to the cafe, human waiters remain integral to the dining experience by taking orders from customers who opt not to use the online ordering system, placing food on the robot trays, and personally delivering beverages.
Although the introduction of robots in the service industry prompts discussions about the potential impact on the workforce, the cafe’s manager, John Kariuki, emphasizes that the robots cannot fully replace human waitstaff due to the complexity of services they provide and the high cost of acquisition.
Hospitality industry expert, Edith Ojwang, notes the coexistence of robotic and human service in the sector, highlighting the diverse preferences among clientele for either automated or human interaction, ultimately underscoring that robotic technology complements rather than entirely replaces human labor within the hospitality industry.
