No rise of the machines, only dining delight with this robot

Having a break to recharge takes on a much more literal meaning for the latest member of Smitty’s serving staff.

BellaBot is an innovative cat-like delivery robot who has recently joined the team in Kelowna. Bella has four food trays, which can hold up to 10 full plates.

The robot also has a range of other skills, like talking back to people, reacting when it is pet behind the ears, and even singing happy birthday when asked.

Restaurant owner and operator, Pavel Prygounov, told Kelowna10, the rolling employee is not meant to replace staff but enhance their jobs.

“It’s there to just to help out servers when they’re busy running around,” he said. “Bella takes the stress off and runs the food.”

The automated android currently works on just one side of the restaurant, as Smitty’s is just in a trial period with the machine. It's not yet known if the non-human helper will stick around when it ends.

So far, Prygounov said it’s been a welcome attraction.

“It’s new to us and new to customers. Everyone comes in and films Bella, and they love her,” he said.

The contraption is the first of its kind in the Okanagan.

BellaBot was created by Edmonton-based GreenCo Robots, which make a wide range of service and cleaning bots. Bella features high-end technology that includes advanced sensors to scan the area around it to prevent collisions with people or objects.

Ionut Bordieanu, with GreenCo Robots, said safety is the main priority for anyone considering a service robot.

“All of our robots are registered as a PPE in Canada. So, safety is first,” he said. “All the technology behind it, all the sensors, the detection point and the area they scan is a very high level of safety and technology.”

Bordieanu said these types of service robots can help businesses grow through innovation and technology. They can also help with exposure.

“After we put it in places, it’s been an organic marketing tool that people come take pictures, videos and share it on social media,” he said. “We’re happy to see it around and people take it with a smile. It’s new, and it can be tricky sometimes, but people take it nicely.”