British entrepreneur Gareth Jones has announced the launch of AI Global Robotics, based in Wales, in partnership with Pudu Robotics, a Chinese manufacturer of commercial service robots.
With sites in Deeside, Mochdre and St Asaph, AI Global Robotics will open its headquarters in Old Colwyn this summer.
From there, the company will introduce autonomous indoor delivery (AID) Bellabots for the hospitality sector, which is facing staff shortages and a recruitment crisis post-pandemic.
Developed and supplied by Pudu Robotics, AID Bellabots can carry up to 40kg (88 lb) on four trays, have human interaction capabilities and feature a bionic design language, as well as personalised modelling.
According to Jones, the robots are not designed to replace workers but to support services in hospitality and other arenas including medical, cleaning, and industrial.
“As the hospitality sector is in dire straits from a recruitment perspective due to the challenges of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, this is an innovative way of alleviating some of that pressure,” said Jones.
“The last thing anyone wants is for robots to take people’s jobs and I want to make that very clear, but for the simpler, time-consuming tasks they can support table service while employees take care of more skilled tasks and deal with customers and focus on customer service.
“It’s a win-win for them at a time when more than 10% of vacancies in hospitality remain unfilled.”
Jones has reportedly held exploratory talks with business owners in North Wales and further afield, and said interest is growing in hi-tech alternatives.
“We’ve received very positive responses already and feedback from those who have purchased the robots – there are fewer than 200 of them in the country at present – which points to a rise in footfall and customer satisfaction,” said Jones.
AI Global Robotics, which also plans to introduce a cleaning robot later this year, is currently offering free trials to businesses wanting to trial the AID Bellabot.
