Bot topic: Business accelerator event to focus on robots in restaurants

Robotic workers have long been a part of the manufacturing industry, but the pandemic-driven labor shortage in the hospitality sector has accelerated the adoption of robot technology among bars, hotels and restaurants.

Eateries in Bradenton and Sarasota have “hired” robotic servers that can bring food to guests and even bus the table after a meal is finished. They aren’t cheap — ranging in price from $9,000 to $17,000, depending on the model — but they don’t need breaks, vacations and health insurance, and they never call in sick.