Hospitality Technology

This article details the technological innovation that Burger King began in order to adapt to the changing food service climate during the covid 19 pandemic. The article also talks about how Burger King is utilizing unattended POS systems as well as contactless QR code systems to add to the ordering experience and make guests feel safe at their operation. The article details that at the time, these technological innovations were somewhat of an experimental trial, however now it is much more of the norm.

Technology such as unattended POS systems, contactless payments, self-order kiosks etc., are helping restaurants to secure orders and payments more quickly and efficiently. They are helping to limit physical contact between people and allowing people who still want to to social distance when they are in a restaurant setting.

As the world comes back from the pandemic, hotels are looking for other experiences to entice guests to stay with them, and providing it through new avenues of technology. Hotel flags are working with groups such as Amadeus for a new experience with their reservation system while exploring other avenues for a competitive advantage.

This article goes into details about the types of hotel POS systems, features, and the possible integrations. One of the things we have heard about a few times this week is "how POS systems allow for collecting guests' orders and purchases from different points of sale and charging them directly to their room". I highlighted and used this point because this is the main purpose and takeaway of a POS system within a hotel. Another good point in this article is how they touched upon the integration with a CRM to collect data on your customer. This is how hotels and other businesses target their customers.

This article lists the benefits of restaurants having eMenus at their establishments and why they may want to consider the benefits: improved sales, easy customization, environmentally friendly, and health safety concerns for patrons. Even though this article may have been a short read, it is very informative. It touches on all the aspects of how eMenus is more beneficial in more ways than one.

The IATA's (International air transport association) New Distribution Capability (NDC), is allowing Priceline the option to sell interisland flights in the Hawaiian islands. This deal will also mean that Priceline will not have to pay the GDS $7 per segment surcharge on U.S. mainland flights.

This article talks about how virtual reality and augmented reality and transforming the travel experience within the hospitality industry. Hotels and travel companies are now using devices or using 360 tour of hotel rooms as if guests were actually inside. Also, this is considered a way for customers to try before actually making a booking.

The COVID-19 outbreak has enhanced the use of AI and robotics to avoid the threat of virus spread. Similarly, new technologies, i.e., AI, service automation, and robotics, are being used extensively in the hospitality and tourism industry. To date, customers also look forward for advanced technology products and customized experiences. Service automation and AI enable the hotel industry to provide customized, memorable, and cost-effective services; amplifying their diverse usage more than humans can achieve for certain jobs.

As you read and examine the article, you will find that there have been many technological developments in AI and robotics. It has intrigued many on how applying intelligence to robotics will further innovations. Additionally, the article mentions how robotic dates back to 1898 and Nikola Tesla/s story and how fifty years later, Alan Turing, a mathematician explored the potential of AI. Moreover, as the two were combined together to create an AI robot currently many top companies have adapted the use of AI or AI robot technology to help in different industries with different services and duties.

This article is in essence about the broken tipping system within American culture today. The title in my opinion is a bit exaggerated but is truthful nonetheless. People within the service industry are being horribly mistreated by being underpaid and forced to rely upon tips for wages. The issue with this is that specifically women are being forced to dress skimpy and act a certain way (possibly flirtatiously) In order to possibly get better tips. With their salary being on average around $2 an hour, without tips they are being forced to live far below the poverty line. So, it's not tipping that makes you inadvertently sexist, it's that tips contribute to woman acting in a more appealing way to male customers in order to pull the standard tip percentage (20% to 25%).

Orangetheory gym has launched a new system driven by AI. The club has always used heart rate tracking that was previously age-based. Now with the New AI-powered MaxHR, it considers other factors. This technology is used to increase the efficacy of an individual's workout.

In the very competitive sports landscape, the Dallas Mavericks have to find ways to separate themselves from the football crazed area. The Mavericks created a mural in Downtown Dallas with augmented reality that also provides fans an opportunity to "shoot the shot." It is another way sports and entertainment have looked to engage with fans.

This article details the increasing and already abundant role that AI technologies are playing in the day-to-day operations of hospitality companies. It goes into depth about how these advancements are using analytical data to provide a better guest experience while also taking information from outside sources to focus on aspects of the operation that need improvement or things that are being well received. The process of AI implementation has also allowed for the customization of guest experience allowing guests to be catered to 24/7 offering insights and calculated suggestions.

The hospitality industry is beginning to employ robots to perform many of the tasks we'd typically expect human employees to perform. They are programmed to perform tasks such as fulfilling guest requests and responding to guest inquiries. Some hotels, however, have taken it a step further by replacing half their staff with robots and attempting to program them to perform other tasks such as assisting guests with their luggage. This turned out to be more of an issue than it was helpful as guests found that these robots could not climb stairs or go outside. Guests staying in hotels where robots' tasks were simpler tasks such as vacuuming, and room delivery had better reviews than those tasked with more complex tasks such as customer service interactions.

This article discusses how an airport in New Haven, CT uses a Robot to sanitize it's planes. As of March, no other airports were using such technology. The robots get rid of 99.9% of germs, are quicker than a sanitation staff, and are cheaper in the long term. The robot can be control via remote.

AI in the casino industry is already running rampant. They are usually ahead of the curve when it comes to testing out new tech and AI was not left off the list. The article mentions a few ways AI is making gambling safer, yet also states the downsides of it which I enjoy as a reader. AI gives you customized experiences for the players, white-glove level customer service, and can even assist in the early detection of cheaters.