CUPERTINO, CA—Aloft Hotels has appointed A.L.O. as the hotel brand’s first Botlr (robotic butler). This cyber associate makes his debut at Aloft Cupertino, making Aloft the first major hotel brand to hire a robot for both front- and back-of-house duties, according to the company.
In this role, A.L.O. the Botlr will be on call as a robotic operative; it will be assisting the Aloft personnel in delivering amenities to guestrooms. Professionally “dressed” in a custom shrink-wrapped, vinyl-collared uniform and nametag, A.L.O. will modestly accept tweets as tips. According to the company, A.L.O. will free up existing staff time, allowing them to create a more personalized experience for guests, and also enhance the hotel’s current tech-forward offerings.
“As you can imagine, hiring for this particular position was a challenge as we were seeking a very specific set of automated skills, and one that could work—literally—around the clock,” said Brian McGuinness, global brand leader, Starwood’s specialty select brands. “As soon as A.L.O. entered the room, we knew it was what we were looking for. A.L.O. has the work ethic of Wall-E, the humor of Rosie from The Jetsons and reminds me of my favorite childhood robot, R2-D2. We are excited to have it join our team.”
A.L.O. will facilitate and prioritize multiple guest deliveries, communicate with guests and various hotel platforms, as well as efficiently navigate throughout the property, including the elevator.