Robot waiters in Kenya create a buzz. But there are concerns about what it means for human labor
The Robot Cafe in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, is creating a buzz by using preprogrammed robots to deliver food to customers
NAIROBI, Kenya — Children giggle as young people flash their smartphones to film robots carrying plates of freshly prepared meals on their inbuilt trays to deliver to diners in a busy eatery in Kenya's capital.
Nairobi has a vibrant tech industry with various startups and innovations in operation and has positioned itself as a tech hub in the East African region bearing the nickname The Silicone Savanna.
This is the Robot Cafe, believed to be the first of its kind in Nairobi and East Africa, where three robots glide among human waiters serving food to mesmerized customers.
These preprogrammed robots were acquired for entertainment. Cafe owner Mohammed Abbas says he experienced robot service in Asian and European countries and decided to invest in them.
“It was very expensive to import the robots,” he says, but adds that the investment has borne fruit, because the restaurant is “often busy with curious customers” who come to experience robot service.
One customer, Packson Chege, picks up a plate of fries from the robot tray as his friend films the experience across the table.
“I can say it is something unique because here in our country Kenya, I have never seen a restaurant like this one so I think for me, it is a good idea from the owner of this restaurant,” he said.
The three robots, which are named Claire, R24 and Nadia, aren't programmed to have a full conversation with customers, but they can say “Your order is ready, Welcome” and then people have to press an exit button after picking up their food from the tray.
They are commanded by waiters through an application on an iPad.
Human waiters are
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