WINDSOR, Ill. (WAND) - Pizza, beer and a side of robot. Hanger 18 restaurant has a robot server that runs orders to tables, helps staff and is a customer favorite.
"We have seen an increase in business from people. We get people coming in just to see the robot and so that has helped out and help drive. The word-of-mouth advertising and communication about what we're doing here," said Owner Justin McWhorter.
While servers still hand the food to guests, Bella transports the food from the kitchen. The brewery has been Open for five years—Bella joined the staff shortly after. McWhorter said Bella is not a replacement for staff, but rather an addition.
"The robot is not a replacement. It's nearly merely a tool for the server to perform the tasks at a more efficient rate," McWhorter said.
The bot is made by a company called Pudu Robotics. Bella acts as a server, but she has a host setting as well.
"When you actually go into your local restaurant and you see it, it brings a sense of, wow, you know, maybe we are in the modern age. We're not still in 1950 or '60. And, I think it gives people a sense of pride that their small town is a part of the world," McWhorter said.
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