Since the COVID-19 pandemic that advanced contactless service, robots are increasingly being seen conducting routine deliveries around hospitals and hotels. Developed by Robotise Technologies, JEEVES is one such autonomous service robot used in hotels, healthcare facilities, offices, airports, and other settings. Its main duty is to transport materials and products.
With intelligent route planning, JEEVES can service multiple points in a single run. Now, igus® has supplied its E2.10 series of e-chain® plastic cable carriers as part of JEEVES that can autonomously navigate its environment and replace up to 300 hotel minibars.
Constructed from high-performance plastics, the igus® cable carriers are critical to the robot’s performance, guiding the system’s energy and data cables. Units can resist wear and abrasion and are suitable for a wide temperature range. Installed above the guide rails of the drawers, they also save space. Together these qualities improve the robot’s efficiency and durability, minimize maintenance needs and save costs.
Standing at 124 centimeters tall and weighing 100 kilograms, JEEVES employs a laser system, 3D camera, and sensors to autonomously navigate hotel rooms and use the elevator. Guests can request snacks or beverages by making a phone call or sending an app message. Upon arrival, JEEVES notifies the guest via a phone call or app alert. Once the robot arrives at the door, guests use its large touch display to select and pay for a product. JEEVES then dispenses the chosen item from one of its four drawers.
JEEVES is equipped with several modular drawers with a total capacity of around 100 liters. The number and size of the drawers can be configured and inserts used to subdivide them to provide space for a wide range of items and materials. Optionally, some of JEEVES drawers can be fitted with a refrigeration unit, allowing them to be chilled if required.
When designing JEEVES, the cables — located inside the robot’s extendable compartments — were at risk for excessive bending, breakage, and freezing to the refrigerator’s cooling plate. A damaged JEEVES would cause guest dissatisfaction, underscoring the robot’s role in hospitality.
“A faulty robot waiter would immediately lead to resentment of the guests,” said Clemens Beckmann, Head of Engineering at Robotise Technologies. “That’s why we attached great importance to making JEEVES as reliable as possible.” Designed for highly dynamic applications, igus® E2.10 cable carriers are a perfect match for JEEVES, enabling the robot to perform its role reliably.
By deploying a single robot like JEEVES, hotels eliminate the time-consuming need to refill and clean hundreds of minibars. They also eliminate the energy consumption and costs associated with the minibars’ refrigeration. This innovation has applications beyond hotels — including trade shows, canteens, offices, airports, museums, and restaurants.
This article was contributed by igus® (Providence, RI). For more information, visit here .
