Robo-cocktail hour: robots move into room service mode

The BellaBot: “You don’t have to speak, smile or put your pants on”. (Image: Sudima)

Wed, 08 Nov 2023

Les Morgan has a new-found respect for robotics.The hotelier and Sudima Hotels chief operating officer is particularly fond of three of his most recent employees at the group’s Auckland airport hotel. “They do a good job, don’t require induction, staff meals or leave, and we haven’t lost a day to a grandmother’s funeral yet,” he said. The main job of the bots – a SwiftBot, BellaBot and FlashBot – built by Shenzhen-based Pudu Robotics, is to dispense orders to guests. The FlashBot can go...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Finance

Critic says Govt 'missing the point' on AML

Critic says problems with AML/CFT come down to how rules have been interpreted.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Markets

One big, beautiful breather for Infratil’s US exposure

Analysts say Donald Trump’s latest policy is ‘far more positive’ than Infratil had picked.

Garth Bray 5:00am

One big, beautiful breather for Infratil’s US exposure

Infrastructure

Christchurch mayor wants to keep all of Lyttelton Port

How will Christchurch fund an $850m port expansion?

Oliver Lewis 5:00am

Christchurch mayor wants to keep all of Lyttelton Port

Sponsored

Wired for change: How bespoke leadership is fuelling the energy transition

New Zealand’s homes, businesses and lives are increasingly being powered by electricity.

University of Auckland School of Business

Sponsored

Tough conversations ahead as cost of living drives employee requests for pay rises

Rising living costs put pressure on both workers and employers.

Moneyfit

More Tourism

Finance

$600m in tourist spend at risk from regulation: Mastercard

When Europe cut interchange fees, foreign card decline rates soared.

Pattrick Smellie 27 Jun 2025

Markets

Analysts expect THL buyout price to rise

BGH Capital’s recent acquisition attempt was rejected for undervaluation.

Gregor Thompson 18 Jun 2025

Markets

THL exec enlists private equity for takeover bid

In tandem with the offer, the consortium has amassed a 19.99% stake in THL.

Gregor Thompson 16 Jun 2025

News in Brief

$13.5m to be spent on tourism promotion

The Government is pumping $13.5 million into Tourism New Zealand to encourage more international visitors to travel to Aotearoa.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the change at the SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland on Monday afternoon.The Government says the injection...

Staff reporters 14 Apr 2025

Robo-cocktail hour: robots move into room service mode

More Tourism

Your company has a subscription

Team