These are independent reviews of the products mentioned, but TIME receives a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser.
The pandemic spurred a labor shortage the U.S. restaurant industry has yet to bounce back from. In that sense, LG’s launch this year of its new robot server was impeccable. “We saw this mass exodus of people,” says Jeffrey Weiland, B2B robotics team lead at LG Electronics North America, and with it, an “opportunity to help do…tasks like bus tables or deliver food.” The CLOi Servebot—the first commercial service robot to be globally certified for safe operation in places like restaurants and hotels—can carry up to 66 pounds and work 11 hours straight, using LiDAR sensors and a 3D camera to move through crowded spaces with ease. The best part, perhaps, for human colleagues? “You don’t split tips with robots,” Weiland says.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race, Endorses Harris to Replace Him
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Stop Feeling Bad About Sweating
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox