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In Practice · October 16

A waiter robot for a restaurant: how to choose and deploy one

Five steps: measure the dining room, determine the payload and number of tiers, distribute roles, prepare the launch and check the service. A comparison of Pudu, Keenon and OrionStar.

KEENON robots at work
Photo: KEENON Robotics

A waiter robot doesn’t replace staff; it takes over the most monotonous part: walking from the kitchen to the table and back. Because of that, waiters stay in the dining room more instead of going in circles. For it to really help, choose and launch it step by step.

Pudu BellaBot in a sushi restaurant: the robot carries dishes around the dining room. Photo: Marc Auledas-Noguera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Pudu BellaBot in a sushi restaurant: the robot carries dishes around the dining room. Photo: Marc Auledas-Noguera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Photo: Marc Auledas-Noguera / Wikimedia Commons

Step 1. Measure the dining room

  • the width of the narrowest aisles between tables and chairs;
  • thresholds, carpets and floor level changes;
  • the route to the kitchen and back, and places on it where people and carts appear;
  • where the charging dock will stand.

This determines which model will fit: the Keenon DINERBOT T11 passes from 49 cm, while the Pudu BellaBot and Keenon T9 have wider bodies but more trays.

Step 2. Determine the payload and number of tiers

ModelTrays and payloadRuntimeFeatures
Pudu BellaBot4 trays, up to 40 kgup to 13 hLidar and visual navigation, fast battery swap, voice and emotions
Keenon DINERBOT T94 tiers, up to 40 kgup to 18 hAuto-charging, for restaurants and banquets
Keenon DINERBOT T11Up to 20 kg—Passes from 49 cm, up to 1 m/s, front screen and advertising display, auto-dock
OrionStar LuckiBot ProUp to 4 tiers of 15 kgup to 12 h14-inch screen, 240° obstacle view with a 3D camera, ads between orders
Pudu HolaBot4 containers, 120 Lup to 10 hCollecting dishes and moving loads, called by voice, gesture or smartwatch
Keenon DINERBOT T9: four tiers and up to 40 kg payload for restaurants and banquets.
Keenon DINERBOT T9: four tiers and up to 40 kg payload for restaurants and banquets. · Photo: Keenon

Step 3. Decide who does what

Give the robot one action: carrying dishes from the kitchen pass to the table. The rest stays with people: serving, talking to the guest, taking the order. To do this, decide in advance who loads the tray, who takes the dishes off at the table and who makes sure the robot doesn’t get stuck.

Step 4. Prepare the launch

  • make a map of the dining room: the robot builds it on its first pass, and we help with setup;
  • mark tables with numbers in the system, set return and charging points;
  • train staff: how to load, how to call and what to do if it is blocked;
  • tell guests: a small sign or a waiter’s hint will answer questions;
  • start with a pilot for one shift and measure the result: how many trips, which stops, which complaints.

Step 5. Check the service and terms

Clarify the warranty, spare parts, training and delivery time. For a model it matters how quickly the battery can be replaced, how the software is updated and who is responsible for a technician’s visit.

What guests pay attention to

For a guest, the robot is part of the atmosphere. The Pudu BellaBot has a voice and emotions on its screen; on the OrionStar LuckiBot Pro screen you can show ads and promotions between orders. But noise, speed and size shouldn’t get in the way: check this on a test shift before launch.

Read also

Frequently asked questions

Which waiter robot is best for a restaurant?

For wide halls and banquets — models with 40 kg and four tiers (Pudu BellaBot, Keenon T9). For tight dining rooms — the narrow Keenon DINERBOT T11, which passes from 49 cm.

Do I need to rearrange the room for a robot?

No, but you need to measure aisles and thresholds and clear obstacles on the route. The robot builds the map on its first pass.

How long does it run on one charge?

According to manufacturers: BellaBot — up to 13 hours, Keenon T9 — up to 18 hours, LuckiBot Pro — up to 12 hours. Real time depends on load and route.

Can I try the robot before buying?

We discuss a demonstration and a pilot when you order. Write to us and we will pick a testing format.

SourceandPudu Robotics ↗KEENON Robotics ↗OrionStar LuckiBot Pro ↗SHKARAN catalog: service robots ↗

This guide was prepared by the SHKARAN editorial team from our catalog and manufacturers’ official pages. If you spot an inaccuracy, write to us and we will fix it.